PET (positron emission tomography) mixed acquisition method and system, storage medium and equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) mixed acquisition method and system, a storage medium and equipment. The method comprises the following steps: carrying out positioning image scanning on a patient; drawing a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine a PET acquisition range; setting the target counting amount and the maximum acquisition duration of each bed based on the acquisition range; after CT scanning is finished, PET collection is started, and the radiocount number and the current collection duration of each bed are monitored in real time in the PET collection process; comparing the radioactivity counting quantity and the current acquisition time length of the current scanning bed with the target counting quantity and the maximum acquisition time length of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is finished or not; after collection of the current bed is finished, whether a bed waiting for collection exists or not is determined, if yes, the next bed continues to be collected, and if not, PET collection is finished. The method has the beneficial effect that better image quality is obtained as much as possible on the premise that the acquisition time is not increased too much.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of PET technology, and in particular to a PET mixed acquisition method and system, storage medium and equipment. Background Art

[0002] PET / CT is a nuclear medicine imaging device that combines PET and CT. PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is responsible for acquiring PET sequences with functional imaging functions; CT (X-ray Computed Tomography) is responsible for acquiring CT sequences with structural imaging functions. After PET data acquisition is completed, the algorithm module uses the PET raw data to reconstruct and generate PET images. During the reconstruction process, CT images are also used to perform attenuation correction for PET image reconstruction.

[0003] At present, the width of most PET detectors is relatively limited, between 20cm and 30cm. When scanning patients, especially the most common whole-body scan (whole-body scan usually refers to the whole body from the base of the skull to the middle of the thigh), it can only be scanned in segments, and then the images obtained by these segmented scans are stitched together to obtain a complete image that meets the required length. Each of these scans is called a bed position, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0004] PET acquisition is usually performed in two ways: by time and by count.

[0005] In the time-based scanning mode, the user needs to set the scanning time for each bed before the scanning starts. After the scanning starts, when the scanning duration of the bed reaches the set time, the PET scanning ends. Then the examination bed moves to the next bed, and the PET scanning of the next bed starts immediately. And so on, until all beds are scanned.

[0006] The basic process of scanning by count is the same as that of scanning by time. The difference is that before the scan starts, the user needs to set the target number of counts to be obtained for each bed. If the scanned part has a large uptake of radioactive drugs and a high radioactive count rate per unit time, the scan will take less time to complete. Conversely, if the part has a small uptake of radioactive drugs and a low radioactive count rate per unit time, the scan will take longer to complete. During the scan, when the number of radioactive counts collected for the bed reaches the preset target number of counts, the PET scan of the bed is terminated. The examination bed then moves to the next bed, and the PET scan of the next bed begins immediately. Due to the uneven physiological distribution of tracers, the uptake of different parts varies greatly. For example, the brain, liver, kidneys, and bladder usually have a large uptake or accumulation of radioactive drugs, and the radioactive count rate per unit time is high. However, the uptake of radioactive drugs in the lungs, muscles, fat, and bones is usually low, and the radioactive count rate per unit time is low. Scanning the patient's torso by count (or acquisition) will result in too long or too short acquisition time for each bed covering different parts. Therefore, scanning by count is often used for single-bed scans, such as brain scans.

[0007] Currently, PET scans are performed either by time scanning or by count scanning in one scan. As mentioned above, the physiological distribution of tracers is often uneven. Usually, the uptake of radioactive drugs is higher in the trunk, especially in organs such as the liver and kidneys, and lower in the limbs. If scanned by time, the amount of data obtained from the knee joint and below may be only half of that of the trunk or even lower in a 2-minute scan. Insufficient data means that a good quality image cannot be obtained for this part. Image users, such as doctors, intuitively feel that the image is noisy and the boundaries are unclear. If scanned by count, the acquisition time may be too long at the extremities, such as the feet, due to the low uptake of radioactive drugs (except in the case of lesions). Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues to be solved

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a PET hybrid acquisition method and system, storage medium and device, which solves the technical problem that the existing PET acquisition cannot take into account both good image quality and short acquisition time.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the main technical solutions adopted by the present invention include:

[0012] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a PET mixed collection method, comprising:

[0013] Perform a scout scan on the patient;

[0014] Draw a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine the PET acquisition range;

[0015] Set the target count and maximum collection time for each bed based on the collection scope;

[0016] After the CT scan is completed, PET acquisition begins, and during the PET acquisition process, the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of each bed are monitored in real time;

[0017] Compare the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count and maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed;

[0018] After the current bed is completed, determine whether there is a bed waiting for collection. If there is, continue to collect the next bed. If not, end the PET collection.

[0019] Optionally, comparing the radioactivity count amount and the current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count amount and the maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed, includes:

[0020] If the radioactivity count does not reach the target count, and the current collection time does not reach the maximum collection time, continue to collect the current bed;

[0021] If the radioactivity count has reached the target count, but the current collection time has not reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated;

[0022] If the radioactivity count does not reach the target count, but the current collection time has reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated;

[0023] If the radioactivity count has reached the target count and the current collection time has reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated.

[0024] Optionally, if it is determined that there is a bed waiting for acquisition, the next bed is moved into the scanning range of the PET detector for acquisition.

[0025] Optionally, during the movement of the bed, real-time position monitoring is performed, and if an abnormal situation occurs, the movement is stopped and an alarm is sounded.

[0026] Optionally, the abnormal situation includes: equipment failure, patient discomfort, patient movement, substandard image quality, unexpected material interference in the patient's body, operational error, or data transmission problem.

[0027] Optionally, the data collected in real time during the acquisition process of each bed is analyzed and recorded, and an acquisition report is generated.

[0028] Optionally, after the PET acquisition is completed, a full scan data report is automatically generated, including the acquisition results of each bed, the amount of radioactivity count, the acquisition time and other relevant information, and the data is archived and backed up.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a PET mixed collection system, comprising:

[0030] A scanning module is used to perform positioning image scanning on the patient;

[0031] A first determination module draws a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine the PET acquisition range;

[0032] The parameter setting module sets the target count and maximum collection time for each bed based on the collection range;

[0033] The monitoring module starts PET acquisition after the CT scan is completed, and monitors the radioactivity count and current acquisition time of each bed in real time during the PET acquisition process;

[0034] A comparison module compares the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count and maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed;

[0035] The second determination module determines whether there is a bed waiting for acquisition after the current bed acquisition is completed. If there is, the acquisition continues to the next bed. If not, the PET acquisition is terminated.

[0036] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the program, when executed, implements a PET mixed acquisition method as described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a storage device, comprising a storage medium and a processor, wherein the storage medium stores a computer program, and when the program is executed by the processor, a PET mixed acquisition method as described in any one of the first aspects is implemented.

[0038] Beneficial Effects

[0039] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a PET hybrid acquisition method of the present invention combines time acquisition and count acquisition in PET acquisition, and sets two values: target count and maximum acquisition time. After the PET scan starts, the system monitors whether the scan of the current bed has met any one of the target count and the maximum acquisition time. If so, the scan of the current bed is terminated and the scan of the next bed is started. If the current bed is already the last one, the entire scan is terminated. Compared with the related art, the present application tries to obtain better image quality without increasing the acquisition time too much. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a bed provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of a PET mixed collection method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to better explain the present invention and facilitate understanding, the present invention is described in detail below through specific implementation modes in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0043] A PET hybrid acquisition method proposed in an embodiment of the present invention improves the mode in which PET can only scan by time or by count, and tries to obtain better image quality without increasing the acquisition time too much.

[0044] Specifically, based on the existing time-based scanning and count-based scanning, a hybrid scanning mode option is added. When the user selects the hybrid scanning mode option, two values ​​need to be set: the target count and the maximum acquisition time. Among them, the target count specifies the signal count that the bed expects to collect, and this count ensures the image quality. The maximum acquisition time specifies the longest acquisition time for the bed. After the PET scan starts, the system will monitor whether the scan of the current bed has met any one of the target count and the maximum acquisition time. If so, end the scan of the current bed and start the scan of the next bed. If the current bed is already the last one, end the entire scan.

[0045] In order to better understand the above technical solution, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to enable a clearer and more thorough understanding of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0046] First, refer to Figure 2This embodiment provides a PET mixed collection method, including:

[0047] S1, perform a positioning image scan on the patient.

[0048] S2, drawing a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine the PET acquisition range.

[0049] S3, set the target count quantity and maximum collection time for each bed based on the collection scope.

[0050] S4, after the CT scan is completed, PET acquisition begins, and during the PET acquisition process, the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of each bed are monitored in real time.

[0051] S5, comparing the radioactivity count amount and the current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count amount and the maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed.

[0052] S6, after the current bed acquisition is completed, determine whether there is a bed waiting for acquisition, if there is, continue to acquire the next bed, if not, end the PET acquisition.

[0053] The present embodiment provides a PET hybrid acquisition method, which assists in realizing the PET hybrid acquisition mode by setting the target count amount and maximum acquisition duration for each bed, and dynamically adjusts the scanning process according to the radioactivity count amount and current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed, thereby improving the efficiency and data quality of the PET scan and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the final result.

[0054] Optionally, comparing the radioactivity count amount and the current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count amount and the maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed, includes:

[0055] If the radioactivity count does not reach the target count, and the current collection time does not reach the maximum collection time, continue to collect the current bed;

[0056] If the radioactivity count has reached the target count, but the current collection time has not reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated;

[0057] If the radioactivity count does not reach the target count, but the current collection time has reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated;

[0058] If the radioactivity count has reached the target count and the current collection time has reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated.

[0059] Real-time monitoring of the number of radioactivity counts and current acquisition time for each bed helps track the scanning process in real time and ensure the quality and integrity of the acquired data.

[0060] Optionally, if it is determined that there is a bed waiting for acquisition, the next bed is moved into the scanning range of the PET detector for acquisition.

[0061] In this way, the acquisition of each bed is completed in turn, achieving a more efficient and accurate scanning process, while improving patient experience and equipment utilization.

[0062] Optionally, during the movement of the bed, real-time position monitoring is performed, and if an abnormal situation occurs, the movement is stopped and an alarm is sounded.

[0063] Optionally, the abnormal situation includes: equipment failure, patient discomfort, patient movement, substandard image quality, unexpected material interference in the patient's body, operational error, or data transmission problem.

[0064] Optionally, the data collected in real time during the acquisition process of each bed is analyzed and recorded, and an acquisition report is generated to facilitate subsequent data processing and evaluation.

[0065] Optionally, after the PET acquisition is completed, a full scan data report is automatically generated, including the acquisition results, radioactivity counts, acquisition time and other relevant information for each bed, and the data is archived and backed up. Detailed acquisition records are provided to support subsequent data analysis and diagnosis, ensure data integrity and accuracy, reduce the risk of manual recording errors, facilitate long-term storage and retrieval of data, and improve the efficiency of medical workflows and the reliability of data management.

[0066] The following is a specific example to further illustrate a PET mixed collection method of the present invention.

[0067] The patient has been injected with a radioactive tracer and has waited enough time for the tracer to be fully metabolized according to clinical requirements. After that, the patient needs to make other necessary preparations according to the scanning requirements, such as emptying the bladder. After that, the patient enters the examination room, removes metal objects from the body, and lies on the examination bed of the equipment, usually in the supine position.

[0068] The operator enters the patient information, such as number, name, gender, weight, etc., into the control software of the PET / CT device, and then enters the radioactive tracer information injected by the patient, such as nuclide, tracer dose, injection time, etc. Then, the operator selects a scanning protocol, such as a protocol for scanning the torso.

[0069] Combination Figure 1 The specific collection process is as follows:

[0070] 1. After the operator starts the examination in the software interface, he / she first completes the positioning image (a positioning image is a two-dimensional planar CT image, usually used to locate the specific scanning part) scan. After obtaining the patient's positioning image, the operator determines the specific scanning range through the positioning frame drawn by the software on the positioning image. Taking the most common trunk scan as an example, from the skull base to the middle of the thigh, 5 to 6 beds are usually required.

[0071] 2. After setting the scanning range, the operator can set the target count and maximum scanning time for each different bed. After the setting is completed, the operator follows the guidance of the software to complete the CT scan first, and then start the PET scan.

[0072] 3. After the PET scan begins, the system completes the scan of each bed one by one in sequence according to the settings. During the scan of each bed, the system monitors the number of radioactive counts collected and the current collection time consumed in real time.

[0073] a) If the radioactivity counts have not reached the target counts and the scan time has not reached the maximum scan time, continue scanning.

[0074] b) If the number of radioactivity counts has reached the target number of counts, but the scanning time has not reached the maximum scanning time, the scanning of the current bed is terminated.

[0075] c) If the radioactivity count has not reached the target count, but the scan duration has reached the maximum scan duration, the scan of the current bed is terminated.

[0076] d) If the radioactivity count has reached the target count and the scan duration has reached the maximum scan duration, the scan of the current bed is terminated.

[0077] 4. After the PET scan of the current bed is completed, the system determines whether there is another bed to be scanned. If so, the system drives the examination bed to move the next bed into the scanning range of the PET detector. Otherwise, the PET scan ends.

[0078] Through the above steps, we can try to obtain better image quality without increasing the acquisition time too much.

[0079] In the second aspect, this embodiment provides a PET hybrid acquisition system, including: a scanning module, a first determination module, a parameter setting module, a monitoring module, a comparison module, and a second determination module. The scanning module performs a positioning image scan on the patient; the first determination module draws a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine the PET acquisition range; the parameter setting module sets the target count quantity and the maximum acquisition time of each bed based on the acquisition range; the monitoring module starts PET acquisition after the CT scan is completed, and monitors the radioactivity count quantity and the current acquisition time of each bed in real time during the PET acquisition process; the comparison module compares the radioactivity count quantity and the current acquisition time of the current scanning bed with the target count quantity and the maximum acquisition time of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed; the second determination module determines whether there is a bed waiting for acquisition after the acquisition of the current bed is completed, and if so, continues to acquire the next bed, and if not, ends the PET acquisition. According to the PET hybrid acquisition system provided by this embodiment, since it is used to implement the steps of a PET hybrid acquisition method provided by the first aspect of the present invention, the PET hybrid acquisition system has all the technical effects of the PET hybrid acquisition method, which will not be repeated here.

[0080] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the program is executed, a PET mixed acquisition method as described in any one of the first aspects is implemented.

[0081] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a storage device, including a storage medium and a processor, wherein the storage medium stores a computer program, and when the program is executed by the processor, a PET mixed acquisition method as described in any one of the first aspects is implemented.

[0082] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems or computer program products. Therefore, the present invention may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0083] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention should also include these modifications and variations.

[0084] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may alter, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A PET mixed collection method, characterized in that: include: Perform a scout scan on the patient; Draw a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine the PET acquisition range; Set the target count and maximum collection time for each bed based on the collection scope; After the CT scan is completed, PET acquisition begins, and during the PET acquisition process, the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of each bed are monitored in real time; Compare the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count and maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed; After the current bed is completed, determine whether there is a bed waiting for collection. If there is, continue to collect the next bed. If not, end the PET collection.

2. A PET mixed collection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Compare the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count and maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed, including: If the radioactivity count does not reach the target count, and the current collection time does not reach the maximum collection time, continue to collect the current bed; If the radioactivity count has reached the target count, but the current collection time has not reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated; If the radioactivity count does not reach the target count, but the current collection time has reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated; If the radioactivity count has reached the target count and the current collection time has reached the maximum collection time, the collection of the current bed is terminated.

3. A PET mixed collection method according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the current bed is acquired, if it is determined that there is a bed waiting to be acquired, the next bed is moved into the scanning range of the PET detector for acquisition.

4. A PET mixed collection method according to claim 3, characterized in that: During the bed movement process, real-time position monitoring is carried out. If any abnormal situation occurs, the movement will be stopped and an alarm will be issued.

5. A PET mixed collection method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The abnormal conditions include: equipment failure, patient discomfort, patient movement, substandard image quality, unexpected material interference in the patient's body, operational errors or data transmission problems.

6. A PET mixed collection method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Analyze and record the data collected in real time during the collection process of each bed, and generate a collection report.

7. A PET mixed collection method according to claim 6, characterized in that: After the PET acquisition is completed, a full scan data report is automatically generated, including the acquisition results of each bed, radioactivity count, acquisition time and other relevant information, and the data is archived and backed up.

8. A PET mixed collection system, characterized in that: include: A scanning module is used to perform positioning image scanning on the patient; A first determination module draws a positioning frame based on the positioning image to determine the PET acquisition range; The parameter setting module sets the target count and maximum collection time for each bed based on the collection range; The monitoring module starts PET acquisition after the CT scan is completed, and monitors the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of each bed in real time during the PET acquisition process; A comparison module compares the radioactivity count and current acquisition duration of the current scanning bed with the target count and maximum acquisition duration of the current scanning bed to determine whether the acquisition of the bed is completed; The second determination module determines whether there is a bed waiting for acquisition after the current bed acquisition is completed. If there is, the acquisition continues to the next bed. If not, the PET acquisition is terminated.

9. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the PET mixed acquisition method described in any one of claims 1 to 7 is implemented.

10. A storage device comprising a storage medium and a processor, wherein the storage medium stores a computer program, characterized in that: When the processor executes the computer program, the PET mixed acquisition method described in any one of claims 1 to 7 is implemented.

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