Continuous-Beam CBCT Imaging With Row-Specific Angle Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems using pulsed kilovolt radiation are limited by the speed of radiation pulse generation, leading to long image acquisition times and increased patient motion, which results in image artifacts and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
A CBCT system utilizing a continuous beam of radiation and a detector that reads out image data row by row successively, assigning a unique rotation angle to each row to account for the continuous rotation of the source, allowing for faster image acquisition and accurate reconstruction of a three-dimensional image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pulsed kilovolt radiation is used in CBCT, then the radiation can be delivered in discrete pulses for detection, but the image acquisition time becomes long due to the speed limit of pulse generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuous radiation delivery instead of pulsed radiation. The x-ray source continuously irradiates the subject during rotation, and the detector continuously reads out data row-by-row without interruption. This eliminates the idle time between pulses and the mechanical speed limitations of pulsed systems, thereby reducing image acquisition time while maintaining image quality through continuous data collection from all detector rows simultaneously.
2Loss of time
If the source rotation speed is increased to reduce acquisition time, then image acquisition time decreases, but patient motion artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing continuous radiation delivery and continuous detector readout, the system can achieve very fast acquisition times (potentially sub-second imaging) without the mechanical constraints of pulsed systems. This minimizes the total time the patient is exposed and the window for motion to occur, thereby reducing motion artifacts while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent processes detector data row-by-row in a sequential manner through the readout circuit, assigning different rotation angles to different rows. This dimensional processing approach allows the system to handle continuous data flow from all rows simultaneously, enabling faster acquisition while maintaining accurate geometric reconstruction that compensates for any patient motion during the brief acquisition window.
3Loss of time
If continuous beam radiation is used, then image acquisition time is reduced, but the detector readout complexity increases due to continuous data flow
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple rows of detector elements, with each row having its own readout circuit. This segmentation allows parallel readout of multiple rows simultaneously, managing the continuous data flow from the continuous radiation beam. The segmentation into manageable rows with dedicated readout paths reduces the overall complexity compared to a single massive readout system while enabling fast continuous acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the concept of assigning different rotation angles to different detector rows, creating a two-dimensional data structure (row index and rotation angle) from the continuous data stream. This dimensional organization of continuous data allows for systematic processing and reconstruction, managing the complexity of continuous beam readout through structured data assignment and angle tracking for each row.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces image acquisition time, minimizes patient motion artifacts, and enhances image quality by ensuring accurate reconstruction without skewness, improving the precision of treatment planning and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Radiotherapy can be described as the use of ionising radiation, such as X-rays, to treat a human or animal body.
Implementation Method 2
A flat panel x-ray detector receives the radiation behind the subject.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system can comprise a source of radiation rotatable around a subject and configured to deliver imaging radiation to the subject from a plurality of angles, and detector comprising a plurality of rows of detector elements. The system is configured to receive the radiation, read out image data representing received radiation successively from each row of the detector, assign a rotation angle to each row of the image data, and output each row of image data and the respective assigned rotation angle to an image reconstruction algorithm for reconstruction of a three-dimensional image of the subject.