Apparatus and method for dynamic spectral filtration

Abstract

A CT imaging system includes a multi-position x-ray filter having a filter element configured to spectrally filter a beam of x-rays and a magnet structure configured to selectively generate a magnetic field to cause the filter element to move between filter and non-filter positions. A CT imaging system computer causes an x-ray source to emit x-rays at each of a first kVp and a second kVp and control the multi-position x-ray filter to position the filter element in the non-filter position during emission of the x-rays at the first kVp and in the filter position during emission of the x-rays at the second kVp. The computer causes current to be provided to the magnet structure so as to generate a magnetic field configured to move the filter element to the filter and non-filter positions at high frequency, into and out of a path of the beam of x-rays.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates generally to diagnostic imaging and, more particularly, to a system and method for dynamic spectral filtration for providing an increased separation of mean energies between low and high kVp image acquisitions.[0002]Medical imaging devices comprise x-ray systems, magnetic resonance (MR) systems, ultrasound systems, computed tomography (CT) systems, positron emission tomography (PET) systems, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and other types of imaging systems. Typically, in CT imaging systems, an x-ray source emits a fan-shaped beam toward a subject or object, such as a patient or a piece of luggage. Hereinafter, the terms “subject” and “object” shall include anything capable of being imaged. The beam, after being attenuated by the subject, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array is typically dependent upon the attenuation of the x-ray beam by the subject. E...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a system and method for improving energy separation in dual energy CT imaging. The system includes a spectral filter with a magnet structure and a filter element that can be moved between a non-filter position and a filter position to selectively filter the x-rays. The filter element is moved using a current provided to the magnet structure. The system also includes a data acquisition system and a computer that controls the x-ray source and the filter element to emit x-rays at different kVp settings. The method involves positioning the filter element in the non-filter position during one kVp setting and in the filter position during the other kVp setting. The technical effect of this invention is to improve the accuracy and quality of CT imaging by separating the energy of the x-rays and using a spectral filter to selectively filter the x-rays.

Problems solved by technology

Such typical systems, however, do not include an ability to discriminate spectral energy content of x-rays as they pass through an object being imaged.

While acquisition in such an interleaved fashion advantageously provides close temporal registration between the 2 kV datasets so as to minimize artifacts due to patient motion, a drawback to the interleaved acquisition is that, because the switching occurs very rapidly on a single x-ray source, there is little opportunity to change the filtration between the two samples.

As a result, there is a spectral (energy) overlap between the two samples that inherently limits the amount of energy separation between them.

However, it is not feasible to simply decrease the low kVp or increase the high kVp in order to increase energy separation therebetween.

Lowering the low kVp may have limited signal-to-noise and cause other limitations in image reconstruction, with most x-rays get absorbed at lower kV settings (i.e., higher absorbed dose) so as to not make it to the detector.

Increasing the high kVp may cause system instability and spit activity and may cause other limitations in system operation, with higher kV also yielding less contrast since fewer x-rays interact with object being imaged.

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