US20080267343A1 - Ct system with synthetic view generation - Google Patents
Ct system with synthetic view generation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080267343A1 US20080267343A1 US12/133,665 US13366508A US2008267343A1 US 20080267343 A1 US20080267343 A1 US 20080267343A1 US 13366508 A US13366508 A US 13366508A US 2008267343 A1 US2008267343 A1 US 2008267343A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- projection
- patient
- generating
- scan
- user
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000002591 computed tomography Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- GNFTZDOKVXKIBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzohydrazide Chemical compound COCCOC1=CC=CC(C(=O)NN)=C1 GNFTZDOKVXKIBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- FGUUSXIOTUKUDN-IBGZPJMESA-N C1(=CC=CC=C1)N1C2=C(NC([C@H](C1)NC=1OC(=NN=1)C1=CC=CC=C1)=O)C=CC=C2 Chemical compound C1(=CC=CC=C1)N1C2=C(NC([C@H](C1)NC=1OC(=NN=1)C1=CC=CC=C1)=O)C=CC=C2 FGUUSXIOTUKUDN-IBGZPJMESA-N 0.000 claims 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000003278 mimic effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 210000001847 jaw Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004373 mandible Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000001519 tissue Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000003484 anatomy Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010990 cephalometric method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002546 full scan Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003625 skull Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001356 surgical procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/50—Clinical applications
- A61B6/501—Clinical applications involving diagnosis of head, e.g. neuroimaging, craniography
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/02—Devices for diagnosis sequentially in different planes; Stereoscopic radiation diagnosis
- A61B6/03—Computerised tomographs
- A61B6/032—Transmission computed tomography [CT]
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/46—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
- A61B6/461—Displaying means of special interest
- A61B6/465—Displaying means of special interest adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/46—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
- A61B6/461—Displaying means of special interest
- A61B6/466—Displaying means of special interest adapted to display 3D data
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/46—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
- A61B6/467—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means
-
- A61B6/51—
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
- A61B6/5211—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for radiation diagnosis involving processing of medical diagnostic data
- A61B6/5223—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for radiation diagnosis involving processing of medical diagnostic data generating planar views from image data, e.g. extracting a coronal view from a 3D image
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/46—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
- A61B6/467—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means
- A61B6/469—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a CT scanner system.
- cephalometric x-ray (or “ceph scan”) equipment in particular occupies a large space. Maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists and other doctors use cephalometrics to diagnose, plan and predict maxillofacial surgeries, orthodontic treatment and other treatments that could affect the shape and appearance of the face.
- cephalometric analysis is starting with a ceph scan of the patient's head. Primarily, lateral x-ray ceph images are taken of the patient, although other images can be used in addition.
- a parallel projection from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector or film is desired. Otherwise, the distortion from incident angles of the x-rays will distort the ceph image.
- the x-ray source is placed at a relatively great distance (5 to 10 ft) from the patient. Therefore, the room dedicated to performing this type of x-ray must be large.
- the present invention provides a CT scanner system that can provide projection-like images of a patient volume.
- any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines.
- the synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.
- CT scan Because of the inherent noise reduction in the synthetic projection process, a very low dose CT scan can be used.
- the CT scan itself would be considered to be well below what is considered diagnostic quality as a CT scan, but produces a synthetic projection that is very good diagnostic quality.
- dosage can be further reduced by varying the dosage of certain images and/or by varying the angular spacing between certain images during the acquisition of the CT scan.
- a user interface may be provided for choosing among a plurality of synthetic views. If the user chooses which synthetic views may be desirable from the user interface before the CT scan is performed, the CT scan can be optimized to provide sufficient information for each desired synthetic view while minimizing x-ray dose. Alternatively, the CT scan can always be performed such that any of the available options for synthetic views will be available afterwards.
- a user interface displays the available synthetic views to the user, e.g. buttons for each of “Ceph,” “Waters,” “Compare Halves,” etc. For example, by clicking a button for “Ceph,” a synthetic ceph scan is displayed.
- the CT scanner system When the projection is selected (either a pre-defined projection, or a projection defined more specifically by the user), the CT scanner system then creates the synthetic projection by defining the array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines.
- the resultant two dimensional synthetic projection is then displayed.
- the user interface may also provide the user with the option of creating a custom projection, such as by drawing the point and the surface or by drawing two surfaces, or otherwise specifying the projection lines.
- FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the scanning system of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates the scanning system of FIG. 1 in use scanning a patient.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a user interface for choosing among a plurality of synthetic projections.
- FIG. 3 illustrates one scanning technique that could be used to reduce dosage during the CT scan.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate method for using the scanning system of FIG. 1 to increase a vertical field of view.
- FIG. 5A illustrates the generation of a synthetic lateral ceph scan by a parallel projection based upon a CT image.
- FIG. 5B illustrates a lateral ceph image generated by the scanning system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5C illustrates the generation of a synthetic lateral ceph scan by projection lines that are substantially, but not completely, parallel.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a front ceph image generated by the scanning system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates the generation of two lateral half-ceph images.
- FIG. 8 illustrates the generation of a synthetic projection where the projection lines terminate within the patient.
- FIG. 9 illustrates one technique where a user defines a plane and thickness for a synthetic projection.
- the scanning system 10 includes CT scanner 12 having an x-ray source 14 and x-ray detector 16 mounted opposite one another on a gantry 18 .
- Suitable CT scanners 12 are known, but would preferably utilize a cone-beam x-ray source 14 and a flat-panel detector 16 .
- the detector 16 has a converter for converting x-rays 20 from the x-ray source 14 to visible light and an array of photodetectors behind the converter.
- a collimator 22 may be mounted in the gantry 18 in front of the x-ray source 14 .
- a first motor 26 is mounted in the gantry 18 for rotating the gantry 18 relative to a mounting plate 28 .
- the first motor 26 may directly drive the mounting plate 28 , or a gear box may be provided between the first motor 26 and mounting plate 28 .
- the mounting plate 28 may be mounted to an arm 36 supported above the floor.
- a second motor 30 may be provided to selectively move the gantry 18 vertically relative to the mounting plate 28 .
- the first and second motors 26 , 30 may move the gantry 18 rotatably and vertically, respectively, relative to a shaft 32 extending from the arm 36 .
- An optional on-board computer 40 may provide some local storage and/or processing of images from the detector 16 for subsequent transmission via a transmitter 42 to a main computer 50 .
- the main computer 50 includes a display 52 and input devices, such as a mouse 54 and keyboard 56 .
- the images may alternatively be transmitted via wires or cables (not shown) to the main computer 50 for processing and display.
- the computer 50 includes at least one processor, memory and/or other storage and includes computer readable media storing computer programs to perform the functions described herein. Any CT scanner 12 could be utilized in the present invention, as the present invention is independent of the specific imaging technology utilized.
- the patient (or more specifically in this example, the patient's head, although other parts of the patient could also be scanned) P is positioned between the source 14 and detector 16 .
- the first motor 26 rotatably drives the gantry 18 at least partially about the patient P, while the detector 16 takes a plurality of x-ray images of the patient P at a plurality of rotational positions.
- a three-dimensional CT image is then reconstructed from the plurality of x-ray images utilizing any known techniques and algorithms.
- a user interface may be provided for choosing among a plurality of synthetic views, before and/or after the CT scan is performed.
- a user interface displays the available synthetic views to the user, e.g. buttons for each of “Ceph,” “Waters,” “Compare Halves,” etc. For example, by clicking a button for “Ceph,” a synthetic ceph scan is displayed.
- the CT scan is performed after the user chooses which synthetic views may be desirable from the user interface, the CT scan can be optimized to provide sufficient information for each desired synthetic view, while minimizing x-ray dose. Alternatively, the CT scan can always be performed such that any of the available options for synthetic views will subsequently be available.
- CT scan itself would be considered to be well below what is considered diagnostic quality as a CT scan, but produces a synthetic projection that is very good diagnostic quality.
- Optional features of the present invention are provided to reduce x-ray dosage received by the patient even further. Referring to FIG. 3 , during the rotation of the gantry 18 about the patient's head P, numerous x-ray images are taken at predetermined angular intervals and at predetermined dosages (i.e. the amount of time that the patient's head is exposed to the x-rays for each image) by the x-ray source 14 and detector 16 .
- the total dosage received by the patient can be reduced by increasing the angular intervals at some angular positions relative to the patient's head and/or by reducing the exposure dosage at some angular positions.
- the angles are increased and where the exposure is decreased may depend upon the type of projection to be synthesized.
- x-ray images from the front and rear of the patient's head can be at a lower dosage and can be taken and larger angular intervals than lateral x-ray images.
- the reconstruction software can account for the change in angular intervals and dosages in reconstructing the three-dimensional CT image. Less detailed information is needed at some angular positions than others. Note that the number of positions and the angular spacing shown in FIG. 3 is only for purposes of illustration. It is anticipated that more images would be taken than is shown, but fewer could be utilized.
- the CT scanner 12 may optionally be moved vertically during the scanning.
- a full scan can be performed of a lower section of the patient's head and a full scan can be performed of an upper section of the patient's head.
- the two full scans can be combined in the reconstruction algorithm to produce a single, continuous CT image.
- the angular intervals and/or dosages can be different for an upper section than for a lower section, depending upon where more resolution and contrast is desired (it is anticipated that more resolution and contrast would be desired in the lower section of a patient's head, including the jaw).
- the CT image can be used to construct a selected or defined projection.
- the CT system 10 provides the user with several pre-defined projections and/or lets the user define their own projection, such as with the user interface shown in FIG. 2A .
- one way the projection can be generated is by defining an array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines.
- the synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as the ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc.
- projection lines may be defined between two planes a and b, on either side of the patient's head P.
- a simulated or synthetic projection can be constructed.
- the synthetic lateral ceph scan projection is shown in FIG. 5B .
- the simulated projection can be constructed to simulate a projection under different circumstances.
- the simulated projection can be constructed to simulate a projection where the source is at a point a that is a certain distance from the patient's head P and the detector at a plane b.
- a source-to-patient distance of, for example, ten feet
- prior ceph imaging systems can be simulated.
- a source (real or simulated) at ten feet does not provide a perfectly parallel projection, but may be advantageous because it provides a ceph image that is more similar to images to which the user (e.g. doctor or orthodontist) is accustomed.
- the system 10 provides a user interface where the user can choose a simulated source distance between (for example) five ft to infinity (i.e. purely parallel projection).
- the point a and the plane b can be defined in a predefined synthetic projection that can be selected by the user via the user interface of FIG. 2A . Additionally, the user is also provided the option (via the user interface of FIG. 2A ) of drawing a point a and a plane b anywhere relative to the three-dimensional image of the patient.
- Another way of providing a synthesized image from a three-dimensional CT image is to view a slice that includes the patient's entire head P (or at least half of it).
- the layers of tissue represented by the CT image are averaged across the chosen width of the selected slice and displayed.
- a ceph image a lateral ceph image is shown for purposes of illustration in FIG. 5B
- a width is chosen that is at least substantially equal (or even greater than) the width of the patient's head P. In this manner, all of the tissue of the patient's head P is averaged together, as would occur during an ideal parallel-projection ceph scan using the standard technique.
- the reconstruction algorithm to produce the three-dimensional CT image already removes any distortion caused by the incident angles of the x-rays from the x-ray source to the detector.
- a CT scanner 12 takes up substantially less room than a parallel projection ceph x-ray image device, since the source 14 and detector 16 can both be relatively close to the patient's head P. With a CT scanner 12 , it is not necessary to place the source 14 a great distance from the patient's head P and the detector 16 in order to obtain a parallel projection.
- the ceph image can provide either an ideal parallel projection ceph image or a simulated near-parallel projection that simulates current ceph projection systems.
- the CT image provides a great deal more other useful information that can be used in the ceph analysis or in the surgical, orthodontia or other planning.
- a ceph image at any angle is readily available from the three-dimensional CT image, including a front ceph image, as shown in FIG. 6 . This can be created in a manner similar to that used to create the lateral ceph image.
- the midplane z of the patient's head P can be determined manually or by the computer 50 ( FIG. 1 ) based upon assumptions regarding symmetry of the patient's head P about the midplane z.
- the midplane z is useful in itself for many aspects of ceph analysis.
- the synthetic projection can also provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection ( FIG. 5A ), or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient. Two examples are described below, but many others would be useful.
- Partial projections that span only half of the patient volume may be used to obtain “half-lateral” views as shown in FIG. 7 .
- Projection lines are defined between the midplane z and a right plane b 1 and summed to create the right half lateral view.
- Projection lines are defined between the midplane z and a left plane b 2 and summed to create the right half lateral view.
- the left and right halves of the patient's head P can then be overlaid and displayed in different colors. That is, a left and right side lateral view that could be compared for symmetry, etc. This is impossible with traditional ceph imaging.
- one half could be inverted laterally to its mirror image (e.g.
- the overlapped halves can be displayed, rotated, enlarged and reduced in three-dimensional space on the display 52 selectively by the user input devices 54 , 56 .
- This option can be selected as the “compare lateral halves” option on the user interface of FIG. 2A .
- An additional advantage with the CT image is that the “projection” can be re-oriented, manually or automatically, after acquisition to correct patient positioning errors.
- a patient positioning error would require the x-ray to be redone or, more likely, the x-ray would be used with the positioning error, possibly leading to less accurate analysis.
- the projection lines are automatically properly oriented relative to the three-dimensional image of the patient (e.g. perpendicular to the midplane z for a lateral ceph scan).
- the panoramic synthetic projection (selectable with the user interface of FIG. 2A ) is illustrated in FIG. 8 .
- Traditional panoramic x-ray imaging makes a projection image using x-rays that traverse the entire patient head. While the projections are optimized somewhat to minimize corruption of the image from nonjaw/non-mandible/etc. anatomy, such as the spine s and back of the skull, this corruption is inevitable. There will always be anatomical components outside of the true region of interest that corrupt a panoramic image. In a synthetically derived panoramic acquisition, this is not the case. One can project only over the region of interest.
- the synthetic panoramic view defines a point a within the patient P and a surface b around the front of the patient, as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the synthetic projection is then created by summing the image along the projection lines between the point a and the surface b. This provides an image similar to the traditional panoramic view, but without corruption from the non-jaw/non-mandible anatomy.
- a surface can be defined inside the patient's head, rather than the point a.
- the panoramic projection can be provided without any increase in x-ray exposure to the patient.
- a current traditional panoramic x-ray machine typically exposes the patient to approximately 15 micro-Sieverts.
- a CT scan with a total exposure of 15 micro-Sieverts would produce a CT scan that is substantially below what would be considered “diagnostic quality.”
- the CT scan does produce a very good diagnostic quality synthetic panoramic projection at 15 micro-Sieverts or less. It is anticipated that future advances in technology will further reduce the dosage required for a diagnostic quality CT scan, in which case the dosage required for the synthetic projections using the present invention will also decrease correspondingly.
- CT system creates a synthetic view by summing the CT scan between the two custom drawn points/surfaces.
- Known drawing techniques can be used to position the point(s) and/or position and shape the surface(s).
- FIG. 9 Another option (selected via the user interface shown in FIG. 2A ) permits the user to draw a plane (flat or curved surface) on a two-dimensional section from the CT scan as shown in FIG. 9 .
- a section taken through the jawline j of the patient's head P is shown in FIG. 9 .
- the user draws a line l, representing a surface normal to the section plane, and then selects a thickness (by entering a number or using a slider bar 60 , etc).
- the thickness t is concurrently displayed over the section to define two surfaces b 1 and b 2 , each spaced by the thickness t from the line l.
- the CT system 10 then creates a synthetic view based upon projection lines between and normal to the two surfaces b 1 and b 2 .
- the user traced the jawline j of a patient on a horizontal section through the CT scan.
- the user can then chose a thickness t that encompassed the jaw.
- the CT system 10 then generated a “panoramic” view of just the jaw, without any artifacts from the rest of the head P.
- summing is intended broadly to include any method of combining information across the projection line or lines.
- the invention is independent of the specific technique used to convert the information from the CT image to a defined projection.
Abstract
A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/410,526, filed on Apr. 25, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/674,638, filed Apr. 25, 2005 and 60/771,797, filed Feb. 9, 2006.
- The present invention relates to a CT scanner system.
- There are many types of specialized x-ray equipment or arrangements each dedicated to providing a specific view or type of x-ray projection. For example, such as panoramic dental x-rays, Water's view x-rays, Caldwell's projection, and cephalometric x-rays are each typically provided by a different type of x-ray machine or arrangement. Each of these devices occupies space, possibly even a dedicated room.
- The cephalometric x-ray (or “ceph scan”) equipment in particular occupies a large space. Maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists and other doctors use cephalometrics to diagnose, plan and predict maxillofacial surgeries, orthodontic treatment and other treatments that could affect the shape and appearance of the face. One important part of the cephalometric analysis is starting with a ceph scan of the patient's head. Primarily, lateral x-ray ceph images are taken of the patient, although other images can be used in addition.
- In order to obtain an accurate lateral x-ray ceph image, a parallel projection from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector or film is desired. Otherwise, the distortion from incident angles of the x-rays will distort the ceph image. To obtain a sufficiently parallel projection, the x-ray source is placed at a relatively great distance (5 to 10 ft) from the patient. Therefore, the room dedicated to performing this type of x-ray must be large.
- The present invention provides a CT scanner system that can provide projection-like images of a patient volume.
- For purposes of illustration, an example embodiment of a CT scanner system that can provide a choice of a plurality of “synthetic” projection-like images will be described; however, a single CT scanner dedicated to providing a single type of projection-like images is also within the scope of the present invention.
- In general, after a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.
- Because of the inherent noise reduction in the synthetic projection process, a very low dose CT scan can be used. The CT scan itself would be considered to be well below what is considered diagnostic quality as a CT scan, but produces a synthetic projection that is very good diagnostic quality. Additionally, dosage can be further reduced by varying the dosage of certain images and/or by varying the angular spacing between certain images during the acquisition of the CT scan.
- A user interface may be provided for choosing among a plurality of synthetic views. If the user chooses which synthetic views may be desirable from the user interface before the CT scan is performed, the CT scan can be optimized to provide sufficient information for each desired synthetic view while minimizing x-ray dose. Alternatively, the CT scan can always be performed such that any of the available options for synthetic views will be available afterwards.
- After the CT scan (whether or not optimized for a subset of available synthetic views), a user interface displays the available synthetic views to the user, e.g. buttons for each of “Ceph,” “Waters,” “Compare Halves,” etc. For example, by clicking a button for “Ceph,” a synthetic ceph scan is displayed.
- When the projection is selected (either a pre-defined projection, or a projection defined more specifically by the user), the CT scanner system then creates the synthetic projection by defining the array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The resultant two dimensional synthetic projection is then displayed. The user interface may also provide the user with the option of creating a custom projection, such as by drawing the point and the surface or by drawing two surfaces, or otherwise specifying the projection lines.
- Advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the scanning system of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates the scanning system ofFIG. 1 in use scanning a patient. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a user interface for choosing among a plurality of synthetic projections. -
FIG. 3 illustrates one scanning technique that could be used to reduce dosage during the CT scan. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate method for using the scanning system ofFIG. 1 to increase a vertical field of view. -
FIG. 5A illustrates the generation of a synthetic lateral ceph scan by a parallel projection based upon a CT image. -
FIG. 5B illustrates a lateral ceph image generated by the scanning system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5C illustrates the generation of a synthetic lateral ceph scan by projection lines that are substantially, but not completely, parallel. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a front ceph image generated by the scanning system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 illustrates the generation of two lateral half-ceph images. -
FIG. 8 illustrates the generation of a synthetic projection where the projection lines terminate within the patient. -
FIG. 9 illustrates one technique where a user defines a plane and thickness for a synthetic projection. - One possible embodiment of a
scanning system 10 according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 1 . Thescanning system 10 includesCT scanner 12 having anx-ray source 14 andx-ray detector 16 mounted opposite one another on agantry 18.Suitable CT scanners 12 are known, but would preferably utilize a cone-beam x-ray source 14 and a flat-panel detector 16. Thedetector 16 has a converter for convertingx-rays 20 from thex-ray source 14 to visible light and an array of photodetectors behind the converter. Acollimator 22 may be mounted in thegantry 18 in front of thex-ray source 14. - A
first motor 26 is mounted in thegantry 18 for rotating thegantry 18 relative to amounting plate 28. Thefirst motor 26 may directly drive themounting plate 28, or a gear box may be provided between thefirst motor 26 andmounting plate 28. Themounting plate 28 may be mounted to anarm 36 supported above the floor. Asecond motor 30 may be provided to selectively move thegantry 18 vertically relative to themounting plate 28. The first andsecond motors gantry 18 rotatably and vertically, respectively, relative to ashaft 32 extending from thearm 36. - An optional on-
board computer 40 may provide some local storage and/or processing of images from thedetector 16 for subsequent transmission via a transmitter 42 to amain computer 50. Themain computer 50 includes adisplay 52 and input devices, such as amouse 54 andkeyboard 56. The images may alternatively be transmitted via wires or cables (not shown) to themain computer 50 for processing and display. Thecomputer 50 includes at least one processor, memory and/or other storage and includes computer readable media storing computer programs to perform the functions described herein. AnyCT scanner 12 could be utilized in the present invention, as the present invention is independent of the specific imaging technology utilized. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , in operation, the patient (or more specifically in this example, the patient's head, although other parts of the patient could also be scanned) P is positioned between thesource 14 anddetector 16. Thefirst motor 26 rotatably drives thegantry 18 at least partially about the patient P, while thedetector 16 takes a plurality of x-ray images of the patient P at a plurality of rotational positions. A three-dimensional CT image is then reconstructed from the plurality of x-ray images utilizing any known techniques and algorithms. - Referring to
FIG. 2A , a user interface may be provided for choosing among a plurality of synthetic views, before and/or after the CT scan is performed. For example, a user interface displays the available synthetic views to the user, e.g. buttons for each of “Ceph,” “Waters,” “Compare Halves,” etc. For example, by clicking a button for “Ceph,” a synthetic ceph scan is displayed. If the CT scan is performed after the user chooses which synthetic views may be desirable from the user interface, the CT scan can be optimized to provide sufficient information for each desired synthetic view, while minimizing x-ray dose. Alternatively, the CT scan can always be performed such that any of the available options for synthetic views will subsequently be available. - Because of the inherent noise reduction in the synthetic projection process, a very low dose CT scan is used. The CT scan itself would be considered to be well below what is considered diagnostic quality as a CT scan, but produces a synthetic projection that is very good diagnostic quality. Optional features of the present invention are provided to reduce x-ray dosage received by the patient even further. Referring to
FIG. 3 , during the rotation of thegantry 18 about the patient's head P, numerous x-ray images are taken at predetermined angular intervals and at predetermined dosages (i.e. the amount of time that the patient's head is exposed to the x-rays for each image) by thex-ray source 14 anddetector 16. Although the intervals could all be equal through the rotation, and although the dosages could all be equal, the total dosage received by the patient can be reduced by increasing the angular intervals at some angular positions relative to the patient's head and/or by reducing the exposure dosage at some angular positions. Where the angles are increased and where the exposure is decreased may depend upon the type of projection to be synthesized. For example, for a lateral ceph scan, x-ray images from the front and rear of the patient's head can be at a lower dosage and can be taken and larger angular intervals than lateral x-ray images. The reconstruction software can account for the change in angular intervals and dosages in reconstructing the three-dimensional CT image. Less detailed information is needed at some angular positions than others. Note that the number of positions and the angular spacing shown inFIG. 3 is only for purposes of illustration. It is anticipated that more images would be taken than is shown, but fewer could be utilized. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , in order to increase the field of view of the resultant three-dimensional CT image, theCT scanner 12 may optionally be moved vertically during the scanning. Alternatively, a full scan can be performed of a lower section of the patient's head and a full scan can be performed of an upper section of the patient's head. The two full scans can be combined in the reconstruction algorithm to produce a single, continuous CT image. In either event, the angular intervals and/or dosages can be different for an upper section than for a lower section, depending upon where more resolution and contrast is desired (it is anticipated that more resolution and contrast would be desired in the lower section of a patient's head, including the jaw). - After the three-dimensional CT image is reconstructed (by on-
board computer 40 and/or main computer 50), the CT image can be used to construct a selected or defined projection. TheCT system 10 provides the user with several pre-defined projections and/or lets the user define their own projection, such as with the user interface shown inFIG. 2A . Generally, either by the pre-defined projections, or as custom-defined by the user, one way the projection can be generated is by defining an array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as the ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc. - For example, referring to
FIG. 5A , to simulate a lateral ceph scan, projection lines may be defined between two planes a and b, on either side of the patient's head P. Generally, by performing a forward projection based upon the three-dimensional CT image, a simulated or synthetic projection can be constructed. The synthetic lateral ceph scan projection is shown inFIG. 5B . - The simulated projection can be constructed to simulate a projection under different circumstances. For example, referring to
FIG. 5C , the simulated projection can be constructed to simulate a projection where the source is at a point a that is a certain distance from the patient's head P and the detector at a plane b. By choosing a source-to-patient distance of, for example, ten feet, prior ceph imaging systems can be simulated. A source (real or simulated) at ten feet does not provide a perfectly parallel projection, but may be advantageous because it provides a ceph image that is more similar to images to which the user (e.g. doctor or orthodontist) is accustomed. Optionally, thesystem 10 provides a user interface where the user can choose a simulated source distance between (for example) five ft to infinity (i.e. purely parallel projection). - Again referring to
FIG. 5C , the point a and the plane b can be defined in a predefined synthetic projection that can be selected by the user via the user interface ofFIG. 2A . Additionally, the user is also provided the option (via the user interface ofFIG. 2A ) of drawing a point a and a plane b anywhere relative to the three-dimensional image of the patient. - Another way of providing a synthesized image from a three-dimensional CT image is to view a slice that includes the patient's entire head P (or at least half of it). Generally, in viewing CT images, one can choose “slices” of the CT image to view at one time. In other words, the layers of tissue represented by the CT image are averaged across the chosen width of the selected slice and displayed. In order to display a ceph image (a lateral ceph image is shown for purposes of illustration in
FIG. 5B ), a width is chosen that is at least substantially equal (or even greater than) the width of the patient's head P. In this manner, all of the tissue of the patient's head P is averaged together, as would occur during an ideal parallel-projection ceph scan using the standard technique. The reconstruction algorithm to produce the three-dimensional CT image already removes any distortion caused by the incident angles of the x-rays from the x-ray source to the detector. - There are several advantages to using a
CT scanner 12 to create a ceph image. First, aCT scanner 12 takes up substantially less room than a parallel projection ceph x-ray image device, since thesource 14 anddetector 16 can both be relatively close to the patient's head P. With aCT scanner 12, it is not necessary to place the source 14 a great distance from the patient's head P and thedetector 16 in order to obtain a parallel projection. As explained above, the ceph image can provide either an ideal parallel projection ceph image or a simulated near-parallel projection that simulates current ceph projection systems. - The CT image provides a great deal more other useful information that can be used in the ceph analysis or in the surgical, orthodontia or other planning. For example, a ceph image at any angle is readily available from the three-dimensional CT image, including a front ceph image, as shown in
FIG. 6 . This can be created in a manner similar to that used to create the lateral ceph image. - Other image manipulation can be performed with the CT image to assist in the ceph analysis that could not be done with a two-dimensional lateral ceph image. For example, referring to
FIG. 6 , the midplane z of the patient's head P can be determined manually or by the computer 50 (FIG. 1 ) based upon assumptions regarding symmetry of the patient's head P about the midplane z. The midplane z is useful in itself for many aspects of ceph analysis. - The synthetic projection can also provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection (
FIG. 5A ), or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient. Two examples are described below, but many others would be useful. - Partial projections that span only half of the patient volume may be used to obtain “half-lateral” views as shown in
FIG. 7 . Projection lines are defined between the midplane z and a right plane b1 and summed to create the right half lateral view. Projection lines are defined between the midplane z and a left plane b2 and summed to create the right half lateral view. The left and right halves of the patient's head P can then be overlaid and displayed in different colors. That is, a left and right side lateral view that could be compared for symmetry, etc. This is impossible with traditional ceph imaging. Alternatively, one half could be inverted laterally to its mirror image (e.g. turning a left into a right half) and displayed in an overlapping relationship with the other, differently colored half. Areas where the two colors do not overlap clearly indicate a lack of symmetry. The overlapped halves can be displayed, rotated, enlarged and reduced in three-dimensional space on thedisplay 52 selectively by theuser input devices FIG. 2A . - An additional advantage with the CT image is that the “projection” can be re-oriented, manually or automatically, after acquisition to correct patient positioning errors. With a conventional x-ray (ceph, Water's view, panoramic, etc), a patient positioning error would require the x-ray to be redone or, more likely, the x-ray would be used with the positioning error, possibly leading to less accurate analysis. With the
system 10, the projection lines are automatically properly oriented relative to the three-dimensional image of the patient (e.g. perpendicular to the midplane z for a lateral ceph scan). - The panoramic synthetic projection (selectable with the user interface of
FIG. 2A ) is illustrated inFIG. 8 . Traditional panoramic x-ray imaging makes a projection image using x-rays that traverse the entire patient head. While the projections are optimized somewhat to minimize corruption of the image from nonjaw/non-mandible/etc. anatomy, such as the spine s and back of the skull, this corruption is inevitable. There will always be anatomical components outside of the true region of interest that corrupt a panoramic image. In a synthetically derived panoramic acquisition, this is not the case. One can project only over the region of interest. The synthetic panoramic view defines a point a within the patient P and a surface b around the front of the patient, as shown inFIG. 8 . The synthetic projection is then created by summing the image along the projection lines between the point a and the surface b. This provides an image similar to the traditional panoramic view, but without corruption from the non-jaw/non-mandible anatomy. Alternatively, a surface can be defined inside the patient's head, rather than the point a. - With the
CT system 10, the panoramic projection can be provided without any increase in x-ray exposure to the patient. For example, a current traditional panoramic x-ray machine typically exposes the patient to approximately 15 micro-Sieverts. A CT scan with a total exposure of 15 micro-Sieverts (with current technology) would produce a CT scan that is substantially below what would be considered “diagnostic quality.” However, because of the noise reduction inherent in the synthetic projection generation, the CT scan does produce a very good diagnostic quality synthetic panoramic projection at 15 micro-Sieverts or less. It is anticipated that future advances in technology will further reduce the dosage required for a diagnostic quality CT scan, in which case the dosage required for the synthetic projections using the present invention will also decrease correspondingly. - Other options (selected via the user interface shown in
FIG. 2A ) permit the user to draw any point and any surface, or any two surfaces. The CT system then creates a synthetic view by summing the CT scan between the two custom drawn points/surfaces. Known drawing techniques can be used to position the point(s) and/or position and shape the surface(s). - Another option (selected via the user interface shown in
FIG. 2A ) permits the user to draw a plane (flat or curved surface) on a two-dimensional section from the CT scan as shown inFIG. 9 . A section taken through the jawline j of the patient's head P is shown inFIG. 9 . Using the user interface, the user draws a line l, representing a surface normal to the section plane, and then selects a thickness (by entering a number or using aslider bar 60, etc). The thickness t is concurrently displayed over the section to define two surfaces b1 and b2, each spaced by the thickness t from the line l. TheCT system 10 then creates a synthetic view based upon projection lines between and normal to the two surfaces b1 and b2. In the example shown, the user traced the jawline j of a patient on a horizontal section through the CT scan. The user can then chose a thickness t that encompassed the jaw. TheCT system 10 then generated a “panoramic” view of just the jaw, without any artifacts from the rest of the head P. - The term “summing” as used herein is intended broadly to include any method of combining information across the projection line or lines. The invention is independent of the specific technique used to convert the information from the CT image to a defined projection.
- In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. Alphanumeric labels on method steps are for ease of reference in dependent claims and unless otherwise specified do not require a specific sequence in which the steps are to be performed.
Claims (20)
1. A method for generating an image of a patient including the steps of:
a) taking a plurality of x-rays of the patient;
b) generating a three-dimensional image of the patient based upon the plurality of x-rays; and
c) generating a projection based upon the three-dimensional image of the patient, wherein the projection includes a plurality of substantially parallel projection lines.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step c) further includes the step of generating a ceph scan.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step c) further includes the step of generating the projection based upon a plurality of substantially parallel projection lines.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said step c) further includes the step of summing along each of the plurality of projection lines, wherein the projection lines are parallel.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the projection lines extend laterally through a head of the patient.
6. A method for generating an image of a patient including the steps of:
a) taking a plurality of x-rays of the patient;
b) generating a three-dimensional image of the patient based upon the plurality of x-rays; and
c) selecting a point and selecting a surface, wherein at least one of the point and the surface is selected by a user; and
d) generating the projection between the point and the surface based upon the three-dimensional image of the patient.
7. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of selecting a first surface and selecting a second surface, wherein said step c) further includes the step of generating the projection between the first surface and the second surface.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface is at least partially within the three-dimensional image of the patient.
9. A method for generating an image of a patient including the steps of:
a) taking a plurality of x-rays of the patient;
b) generating a three-dimensional image of the patient based upon the plurality of x-rays;
c) providing a user with a plurality of pre-defined projections from which to choose including a projection selected by the user;
d) generating the selected projection based upon the three-dimensional image of the patient.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said step c) further includes the steps of:
d) displaying a portion of the three-dimensional image of the patient;
e) defining a surface on the display of the three-dimensional image of the patient via a user input; and
f) generating a projection based upon the surface drawn in said step e).
11. The method of claim 10 further including the steps of:
g) setting a thickness of the projection based upon a user input; and
h) generating the projection in said step f) based upon the surface and the thickness.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step g) is performed after said step e).
13. The method of claim 10 wherein said step e) is performed by drawing a line with a user interface.
14. An imaging system comprising:
a user interface providing an option to select from a plurality of projections; and
a computer programmed to generate the plurality of projections based upon a CT scan and to display a selected one of the plurality of projections in response to a selection by a user using the user interface.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of projections is a lateral ceph scan.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the computer is further programmed to generate the lateral ceph scan based upon a plurality of at least substantially parallel projection lines through the CT scan.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the computer is further programmed to sum along each of the plurality of projection lines, wherein the projection lines are parallel.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the projection lines extend laterally through a head of the patient.
19. The system of claim 14 wherein the user interface further provides the ability for a user to select a point and to select a surface, wherein the computer generates the projection between the point and the surface.
20. The system of claim 14 wherein the user interface further permits a user to select a first surface and a second surface, wherein the computer generates the projection between the first surface and the second surface.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/133,665 US20080267343A1 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2008-06-05 | Ct system with synthetic view generation |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US67463805P | 2005-04-25 | 2005-04-25 | |
US77179706P | 2006-02-09 | 2006-02-09 | |
US11/410,526 US7397890B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | CT system with synthetic view generation |
US12/133,665 US20080267343A1 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2008-06-05 | Ct system with synthetic view generation |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/410,526 Continuation US7397890B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | CT system with synthetic view generation |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080267343A1 true US20080267343A1 (en) | 2008-10-30 |
Family
ID=37056813
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/410,526 Active US7397890B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | CT system with synthetic view generation |
US12/133,665 Abandoned US20080267343A1 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2008-06-05 | Ct system with synthetic view generation |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/410,526 Active US7397890B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | CT system with synthetic view generation |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7397890B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1876956A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006116488A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110026671A1 (en) * | 2009-07-31 | 2011-02-03 | Hongjian Shi | Panoramic dental imaging using segmentation and a master arch |
DE102010040096A1 (en) * | 2010-09-01 | 2012-03-01 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method of creating a shot from a 3D volume |
US20170311910A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2017-11-02 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Dental imaging with photon-counting detector |
US11298092B2 (en) | 2014-07-29 | 2022-04-12 | Vatech Co., Ltd. | X-ray imaging device |
Families Citing this family (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7522779B2 (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2009-04-21 | Accuray, Inc. | Image enhancement method and system for fiducial-less tracking of treatment targets |
US7813469B2 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2010-10-12 | Ge Healthcare Finland Oy | Method for producing a three-dimensional digital x-ray image |
JP4307406B2 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2009-08-05 | 株式会社モリタ製作所 | Medical X-ray imaging apparatus and X-ray detector used therefor |
JP4916875B2 (en) * | 2006-12-27 | 2012-04-18 | 株式会社吉田製作所 | Multi-tomographic image construction method and digital three-dimensional X-ray imaging apparatus |
WO2008092009A2 (en) | 2007-01-24 | 2008-07-31 | Imaging Sciences International Llc | Adjustable scanner |
US7787586B2 (en) | 2007-02-22 | 2010-08-31 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | Display method of X-ray CT image of maxillofacial area, X-ray CT apparatus and X-ray image display apparatus |
JP2008229322A (en) * | 2007-02-22 | 2008-10-02 | Morita Mfg Co Ltd | Image processing method, image displaying method, image processing program, storage medium, image processor, and x-ray imaging device |
EP1973075A1 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2008-09-24 | Cefla Societa' Cooperativa | Method for the reconstruction of a panoramic image of an object, and a computed tomography scanner implementing said method |
US8971658B2 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2015-03-03 | Xerox Corporation | Edge contrast adjustment filter |
KR100907821B1 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2009-07-14 | 차영진 | Composite image taking device for dental medical diagnosis |
US7978191B2 (en) * | 2007-09-24 | 2011-07-12 | Dolphin Imaging Systems, Llc | System and method for locating anatomies of interest in a 3D volume |
WO2009080866A1 (en) * | 2007-12-20 | 2009-07-02 | Palodex Group Oy | Method and arrangement for medical imaging |
CN101965153B (en) * | 2008-02-20 | 2014-08-06 | 图像科学国际有限公司 | Adjustable scanner |
WO2012139031A1 (en) * | 2011-04-06 | 2012-10-11 | The Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York | System, method and computer-accessible medium for providing a panoramic cone beam computed tomography (cbct) |
KR101389841B1 (en) | 2012-05-16 | 2014-04-29 | 주식회사바텍 | Panorama image data providing method and apparatus |
EP3145411B1 (en) * | 2014-05-22 | 2023-03-08 | Carestream Dental Technology Topco Limited | Method for 3-d cephalometric analysis |
US9770216B2 (en) * | 2014-07-02 | 2017-09-26 | Covidien Lp | System and method for navigating within the lung |
EP3164074A4 (en) * | 2014-07-02 | 2018-04-11 | Covidien LP | Alignment ct |
US9993217B2 (en) * | 2014-11-17 | 2018-06-12 | Vatech Co., Ltd. | Producing panoramic radiograph |
KR102457635B1 (en) * | 2015-04-27 | 2022-10-24 | 주식회사바텍 | Producing panoramic radiograph |
WO2017109530A1 (en) * | 2015-12-23 | 2017-06-29 | Trophy | Method and device for creating a cephalometric image |
US10523929B2 (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2019-12-31 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Systems and methods for creating an immersive video content environment |
US11464576B2 (en) | 2018-02-09 | 2022-10-11 | Covidien Lp | System and method for displaying an alignment CT |
CN113288198A (en) * | 2021-06-02 | 2021-08-24 | 上海博恩登特科技有限公司 | Fast low-dose oral CBCT imaging method and system |
Citations (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4081739A (en) * | 1976-02-04 | 1978-03-28 | Braun Aktiengesellschaft | Circuit for quick charging of batteries |
US4694404A (en) * | 1984-01-12 | 1987-09-15 | Key Bank N.A. | High-speed image generation of complex solid objects using octree encoding |
US5058147A (en) * | 1988-09-13 | 1991-10-15 | Kabushiki Kaisha Morita Seisakusho | Dental panoramic/cephalo X-ray photographing device |
US5117829A (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1992-06-02 | Loma Linda University Medical Center | Patient alignment system and procedure for radiation treatment |
US5278756A (en) * | 1989-01-24 | 1994-01-11 | Dolphin Imaging Systems | Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images |
US5371778A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1994-12-06 | Picker International, Inc. | Concurrent display and adjustment of 3D projection, coronal slice, sagittal slice, and transverse slice images |
US5694142A (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1997-12-02 | General Electric Company | Interactive digital arrow (d'arrow) three-dimensional (3D) pointing |
US5694530A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1997-12-02 | Hitachi Medical Corporation | Method of constructing three-dimensional image according to central projection method and apparatus for same |
US5901199A (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1999-05-04 | The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University | High-speed inter-modality image registration via iterative feature matching |
US5986662A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1999-11-16 | Vital Images, Inc. | Advanced diagnostic viewer employing automated protocol selection for volume-rendered imaging |
US6064391A (en) * | 1990-11-28 | 2000-05-16 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Method for displaying region extracting processing in an image processing system |
US6068482A (en) * | 1996-10-04 | 2000-05-30 | Snow; Michael Desmond | Method for creation and utilization of individualized 3-dimensional teeth models |
US6081739A (en) * | 1998-05-21 | 2000-06-27 | Lemchen; Marc S. | Scanning device or methodology to produce an image incorporating correlated superficial, three dimensional surface and x-ray images and measurements of an object |
US6289074B1 (en) * | 1998-09-02 | 2001-09-11 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | X-ray computed tomography method and system |
US20010036303A1 (en) * | 1999-12-02 | 2001-11-01 | Eric Maurincomme | Method of automatic registration of three-dimensional images |
US6334847B1 (en) * | 1996-11-29 | 2002-01-01 | Life Imaging Systems Inc. | Enhanced image processing for a three-dimensional imaging system |
US20020181663A1 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2002-12-05 | Gianluca Paladini | Memory efficient shear-warp voxel projection algorithm |
US6493415B1 (en) * | 1999-03-25 | 2002-12-10 | Nihon University | X-ray computed tomography method and apparatus |
US6608628B1 (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2003-08-19 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration (Nasa) | Method and apparatus for virtual interactive medical imaging by multiple remotely-located users |
US20030185339A1 (en) * | 2002-03-27 | 2003-10-02 | Heumann John M. | Tomography of curved surfaces |
US20040066877A1 (en) * | 2000-10-04 | 2004-04-08 | Yoshinori Arai | Medical x-ray ct image display method, display device, medical x-ray ct device and reocrding medium recording program implementing this display method |
US6744848B2 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2004-06-01 | Brandeis University | Method and system for low-dose three-dimensional imaging of a scene |
US6771262B2 (en) * | 1998-11-25 | 2004-08-03 | Siemens Corporate Research, Inc. | System and method for volume rendering-based segmentation |
US20040197727A1 (en) * | 2001-04-13 | 2004-10-07 | Orametrix, Inc. | Method and system for comprehensive evaluation of orthodontic treatment using unified workstation |
US20040228453A1 (en) * | 2003-05-13 | 2004-11-18 | Dobbs Andrew Bruno | Method and system for simulating X-ray images |
US6845175B2 (en) * | 1998-11-01 | 2005-01-18 | Cadent Ltd. | Dental image processing method and system |
US20050047638A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-03-03 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | Method and apparatus for processing X-ray image |
US20050242380A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-03 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | Two dimensional image production method and system using solid-state image sensing device |
US20060153434A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2006-07-13 | Shih-Ping Wang | Thick-slice display of medical images |
US20070030952A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Yong-Jae Sa | Combined panoramic and CT (Computed Tomography) photographing apparatus |
US20070030951A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Jae-Yoon Park | Combined panoramic, CT (Computed Tomography) and cephalometric photographing apparatus |
US20070030950A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Yong-Jae Sa | Combined panoramic and computed tomography photographing apparatus |
US20070086559A1 (en) * | 2003-05-13 | 2007-04-19 | Dobbs Andrew B | Method and system for simulating X-ray images |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1027681A4 (en) * | 1998-05-13 | 2001-09-19 | Acuscape International Inc | Method and apparatus for generating 3d models from medical images |
-
2006
- 2006-04-25 EP EP06758619A patent/EP1876956A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2006-04-25 US US11/410,526 patent/US7397890B2/en active Active
- 2006-04-25 WO PCT/US2006/015791 patent/WO2006116488A2/en active Application Filing
-
2008
- 2008-06-05 US US12/133,665 patent/US20080267343A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (34)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4081739A (en) * | 1976-02-04 | 1978-03-28 | Braun Aktiengesellschaft | Circuit for quick charging of batteries |
US4694404A (en) * | 1984-01-12 | 1987-09-15 | Key Bank N.A. | High-speed image generation of complex solid objects using octree encoding |
US5058147A (en) * | 1988-09-13 | 1991-10-15 | Kabushiki Kaisha Morita Seisakusho | Dental panoramic/cephalo X-ray photographing device |
US5278756A (en) * | 1989-01-24 | 1994-01-11 | Dolphin Imaging Systems | Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images |
US5117829A (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1992-06-02 | Loma Linda University Medical Center | Patient alignment system and procedure for radiation treatment |
US6064391A (en) * | 1990-11-28 | 2000-05-16 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Method for displaying region extracting processing in an image processing system |
US5371778A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1994-12-06 | Picker International, Inc. | Concurrent display and adjustment of 3D projection, coronal slice, sagittal slice, and transverse slice images |
US5694142A (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1997-12-02 | General Electric Company | Interactive digital arrow (d'arrow) three-dimensional (3D) pointing |
US5694530A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1997-12-02 | Hitachi Medical Corporation | Method of constructing three-dimensional image according to central projection method and apparatus for same |
US5901199A (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1999-05-04 | The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University | High-speed inter-modality image registration via iterative feature matching |
US6068482A (en) * | 1996-10-04 | 2000-05-30 | Snow; Michael Desmond | Method for creation and utilization of individualized 3-dimensional teeth models |
US5986662A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1999-11-16 | Vital Images, Inc. | Advanced diagnostic viewer employing automated protocol selection for volume-rendered imaging |
US6334847B1 (en) * | 1996-11-29 | 2002-01-01 | Life Imaging Systems Inc. | Enhanced image processing for a three-dimensional imaging system |
US6081739A (en) * | 1998-05-21 | 2000-06-27 | Lemchen; Marc S. | Scanning device or methodology to produce an image incorporating correlated superficial, three dimensional surface and x-ray images and measurements of an object |
US6289074B1 (en) * | 1998-09-02 | 2001-09-11 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | X-ray computed tomography method and system |
US6845175B2 (en) * | 1998-11-01 | 2005-01-18 | Cadent Ltd. | Dental image processing method and system |
US6608628B1 (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2003-08-19 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration (Nasa) | Method and apparatus for virtual interactive medical imaging by multiple remotely-located users |
US6771262B2 (en) * | 1998-11-25 | 2004-08-03 | Siemens Corporate Research, Inc. | System and method for volume rendering-based segmentation |
US6493415B1 (en) * | 1999-03-25 | 2002-12-10 | Nihon University | X-ray computed tomography method and apparatus |
US20010036303A1 (en) * | 1999-12-02 | 2001-11-01 | Eric Maurincomme | Method of automatic registration of three-dimensional images |
US6744848B2 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2004-06-01 | Brandeis University | Method and system for low-dose three-dimensional imaging of a scene |
US20040066877A1 (en) * | 2000-10-04 | 2004-04-08 | Yoshinori Arai | Medical x-ray ct image display method, display device, medical x-ray ct device and reocrding medium recording program implementing this display method |
US20020181663A1 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2002-12-05 | Gianluca Paladini | Memory efficient shear-warp voxel projection algorithm |
US20040197727A1 (en) * | 2001-04-13 | 2004-10-07 | Orametrix, Inc. | Method and system for comprehensive evaluation of orthodontic treatment using unified workstation |
US20030185339A1 (en) * | 2002-03-27 | 2003-10-02 | Heumann John M. | Tomography of curved surfaces |
US20060153434A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2006-07-13 | Shih-Ping Wang | Thick-slice display of medical images |
US20040228453A1 (en) * | 2003-05-13 | 2004-11-18 | Dobbs Andrew Bruno | Method and system for simulating X-ray images |
US7154985B2 (en) * | 2003-05-13 | 2006-12-26 | Medical Insight A/S | Method and system for simulating X-ray images |
US20070086559A1 (en) * | 2003-05-13 | 2007-04-19 | Dobbs Andrew B | Method and system for simulating X-ray images |
US20050047638A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-03-03 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | Method and apparatus for processing X-ray image |
US20050242380A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-03 | J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation | Two dimensional image production method and system using solid-state image sensing device |
US20070030952A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Yong-Jae Sa | Combined panoramic and CT (Computed Tomography) photographing apparatus |
US20070030951A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Jae-Yoon Park | Combined panoramic, CT (Computed Tomography) and cephalometric photographing apparatus |
US20070030950A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Yong-Jae Sa | Combined panoramic and computed tomography photographing apparatus |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110026671A1 (en) * | 2009-07-31 | 2011-02-03 | Hongjian Shi | Panoramic dental imaging using segmentation and a master arch |
US8325874B2 (en) | 2009-07-31 | 2012-12-04 | Imaging Sciences International Llc | Panoramic dental imaging using segmentation and a master arch |
US8548120B2 (en) | 2009-07-31 | 2013-10-01 | Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation | Dental imaging using segmentation and an arch |
DE102010040096A1 (en) * | 2010-09-01 | 2012-03-01 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method of creating a shot from a 3D volume |
CN103069459A (en) * | 2010-09-01 | 2013-04-24 | 塞隆纳牙科系统有限责任公司 | Method for creating an image from a 3D volume |
US9652873B2 (en) | 2010-09-01 | 2017-05-16 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method for creating an image from a 3D device |
US10521935B2 (en) | 2010-09-01 | 2019-12-31 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method for creating an image from a 3D volume |
US20170311910A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2017-11-02 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Dental imaging with photon-counting detector |
US11751760B2 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2023-09-12 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Dental imaging with photon-counting detector |
US11298092B2 (en) | 2014-07-29 | 2022-04-12 | Vatech Co., Ltd. | X-ray imaging device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20060239400A1 (en) | 2006-10-26 |
US7397890B2 (en) | 2008-07-08 |
WO2006116488A3 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
WO2006116488A2 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
EP1876956A2 (en) | 2008-01-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7397890B2 (en) | CT system with synthetic view generation | |
JP4015366B2 (en) | Local irradiation X-ray CT imaging method and apparatus | |
US6196715B1 (en) | X-ray diagnostic system preferable to two dimensional x-ray detection | |
EP1513449B1 (en) | Rotational angiography based hybrid 3-d reconstruction of coronary arterial structure | |
JP5775244B2 (en) | System and method for 3D graphical prescription of medical imaging volume | |
JPWO2002028285A1 (en) | Medical X-ray CT image display method, display device, medical X-ray CT device, and recording medium storing a program for implementing the display method | |
JP5308739B2 (en) | X-ray image display method and X-ray imaging apparatus | |
US9361726B2 (en) | Medical image diagnostic apparatus, medical image processing apparatus, and methods therefor | |
KR20080034447A (en) | System and method for selective blending of 2d x-ray images and 3d ultrasound images | |
US11045290B2 (en) | Dynamic dental arch map | |
US7604404B2 (en) | X-ray imaging apparatus | |
JP2007000408A (en) | X-ray ct apparatus | |
WO2011106469A2 (en) | Display method and system for enabling an operator to visualize and correct alignment errors in imaged data sets | |
JP2005103263A (en) | Method of operating image formation inspecting apparatus with tomographic ability, and x-ray computerized tomographic apparatus | |
JP2008259822A (en) | Display method of x-ray ct image of maxillofacial area, x-ray ct apparatus and x-ray image display apparatus | |
JP5618292B2 (en) | X-ray CT imaging apparatus and X-ray CT image display method | |
JP4861037B2 (en) | Measuring device | |
JP2014138911A (en) | X-ray ct photographing apparatus and method for displaying x-ray ct image | |
US6975897B2 (en) | Short/long axis cardiac display protocol | |
JP7439075B2 (en) | Device and method for editing panoramic radiographic images | |
JPH1043178A (en) | Method, device for setting reconstitutive faces, reconstitutive image preparing method and x-ray ct device | |
JP6085824B2 (en) | X-ray imaging apparatus and image processing method | |
US20220031273A1 (en) | Systems and methods for artifact detection for images | |
JP2017056364A (en) | X-ray imaging apparatus and X-ray image selection method | |
JP6085825B2 (en) | X-ray imaging apparatus and image processing method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |