Rotating Gantry Pre-scan Imaging via Continuous Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT scanners require multiple decelerations and accelerations of the rotating gantry for each pre-scan, consuming time and exposing patients to ionizing radiation multiple times, which can cause tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A method for acquiring pre-scans at multiple rotation angles concurrently while the rotating gantry rotates, combining data from different angles to generate pre-scans without the need for repeated deceleration and acceleration, allowing the patient to be scanned once and reducing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the rotating gantry is decelerated and stopped for each pre-scan, then the pre-scan can be performed with the x-ray tube at a static position, but time is consumed and the patient is exposed to ionizing radiation multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating gantry continues to rotate continuously during pre-scan acquisition without deceleration or stopping. Multiple pre-scans are acquired at different angular positions during a single continuous rotation, eliminating the time loss associated with repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles while maintaining pre-scan image quality through multi-angle data collection
2Measurement precision
If the rotating gantry is decelerated and stopped for each pre-scan, then the pre-scan can be performed with the x-ray tube at a static position, but the patient is exposed to ionizing radiation multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pre-scan acquisitions at different angular positions are merged into a single continuous scanning operation. The system combines data from multiple angles acquired during one continuous rotation to generate comprehensive pre-scan images, thereby reducing the number of separate radiation exposure events while maintaining diagnostic image quality
3Productivity
If the rotating gantry is accelerated after each pre-scan, then the scan can proceed, but time is consumed that could be spent scanning patients
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry maintains continuous rotation throughout the pre-scan acquisition process, eliminating the need for repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles. This continuous operation mode reduces non-productive time and increases patient scanning throughput by keeping the imaging system in a constant operational state
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
This approach saves time by eliminating the need for repeated gantry movements and reduces patient exposure to ionizing radiation, optimizing the scanning process.
Implementation Method 1
The x-ray tube is configured to emit radiation that traverses the examination region and a portion of an object or subject in the examination region
Implementation Method 2
the patient is moved through the examination region multiple times, one for each pre-scan, and irradiated with ionizing radiation multiple times
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes identifying at least first and second angles of rotation of the rotating gantry at which first and second pre-scans are acquired, wherein the first and the angles of rotation are different angles, acquiring data, via the imaging system while rotating the rotating gantry, only during a predetermined angular range about the first angle of rotation for a first plurality of rotations from the start to the end pre-scan positions and during the predetermined angular range about the second angle of rotation for a second plurality of rotations from the start to the end pre-scan positions, and reconstructing a first pre-scan based only on the data acquired during the predetermined angular range about the first angle of rotation and a second pre-scan based only on the data acquired during the predetermined angular range about the second angle of rotation.