US6868138B2 — Method, processor and computed tomography (CT) ma…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 129 words

A method for generating an image using a flat panel x-ray detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the method comprising: converting x-ray radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels; obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extending the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of: a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different; a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/column of the array; and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and using the obtained data to generate an image.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 129 words

A method for generating an image using a flat panel x-ray detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the method comprising: converting x-ray radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels; obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extending the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of: a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different; a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/column of the array; and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and using the obtained data to generate an image.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of obtaining and extending are performed using the plurality of optical masks, the optical masks being positioned between the detector pixels and a converter of the detector, the converter performing the step of converting x-ray radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of obtaining and extending are performed using the predetermined triggering sequence, the triggering sequence controlling integration time of the pixels so that predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels in a column are different.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of obtaining and extending are performed using the plurality of charge amplifiers, the charge amplifiers controllably amplifying charges retrieved from the pixels so that amplification levels of adjacent pixels in a row are different.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining is controlled from image to image based on attenuation properties of a scanned object.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is generated using a reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the high and low sensitivity data are combined prior to using the reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the reconstruction algorithm uses the high and low sensitivity data.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 147 words

A processor and a flat panel detector, the processor reconstructing an image using high and low sensitivity data collected from the flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter, the processor programmed to: obtain high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extend a dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique selected from the group of: a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different; a plurality of optical masks between the detector pixels and the converter, the optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/columns of the array; and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and generate an image using the obtained data.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 147 words

A processor and a flat panel detector, the processor reconstructing an image using high and low sensitivity data collected from the flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter, the processor programmed to: obtain high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extend a dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique selected from the group of: a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different; a plurality of optical masks between the detector pixels and the converter, the optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/columns of the array; and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and generate an image using the obtained data.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 39 words

The processor and flat panel detector as claimed in claim 9 wherein obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector is performed using the optical masks, and the converter converting radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 54 words

The processor and flat panel detector as claimed in claim 9 wherein obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector is performed using the predetermined triggering sequence and the triggering sequence controls integration time of the pixels so that integration times of adjacent pixels in a column are different by a predetermined amount.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 50 words

The processor and flat panel detector as claimed in claim 9 wherein obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector is performed using the charge amplifiers and the charge amplifiers controllably amplify charges retrieved from the pixels so that amplification levels of adjacent pixels in a row are different.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The processor and flat panel detector as claimed in claim 9 wherein the processor is programmed with a reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

The processor and flat panel detector as claimed in claim 13 wherein the processor is programmed to combine the high and low sensitivity data prior to using the reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 22 words

The processor and flat panel detector as claimed in claim 13 wherein the reconstruction algorithm uses the high and low sensitivity data.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 136 words

A computed tomography machine comprising: a flat panel detector having a converter, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row; and a processor for reconstructing an image using data collected from the detector, the processor programmed to: obtain high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extend the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of: a predetermined triggering sequence in which integration times of adjacent pairs of pixels differ by a predetermined amount, a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/columns of the array and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and generate an image using the obtained data.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 136 words

A computed tomography machine comprising: a flat panel detector having a converter, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row; and a processor for reconstructing an image using data collected from the detector, the processor programmed to: obtain high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extend the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of: a predetermined triggering sequence in which integration times of adjacent pairs of pixels differ by a predetermined amount, a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/columns of the array and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and generate an image using the obtained data.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 41 words

The machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to use the optical masks and the optical masks are positioned between the detector pixels and the converter, the converter converting radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 76 words

The machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to use the predetermined triggering sequence, the pixels including a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels each adjacent one of the plurality of first pixels, and the triggering sequence controls integration time of the pixels so that integration time of the plurality of first pixels in a column is different from the plurality of second pixels by a predetermined time.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

The machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to use the charge amplifiers and the charge amplifiers controllably amplify charges retrieved from the pixels so that amplification levels of adjacent pixels in a row are different.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

The machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed with a reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

The machine as claimed in claim 20 wherein the processor is programmed to combine the high and low sensitivity data prior to using the reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

The machine as claimed in claim 20 wherein the reconstruction algorithm uses the high and low sensitivity data.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 17 words

The machine as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the detector discards data from pixels that saturate.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 20 words

The machine as claimed in claim 16 , further including an x-ray source generating x-ray radiation received by the detector.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 114 words

An imaging machine comprising: a radiation source; a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels, the detector having a predetermined triggering sequence controlling integration time of the pixels so that integration times of adjacent pixels are different in a predetermined manner to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 114 words

An imaging machine comprising: a radiation source; a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels, the detector having a predetermined triggering sequence controlling integration time of the pixels so that integration times of adjacent pixels are different in a predetermined manner to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 17 words

The machine as claimed in claim 25 wherein the processor generates the image using a reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

The machine as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the high and low sensitivity data are combined prior to using the reconstruction algorithm.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

The machine as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the reconstruction algorithm determines whether at least one of the adjacent pixels is saturated.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 115 words

An imaging machine comprising: a radiation source; a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels; at least one optical mask between the detector pixels and the converter, the at least one optical mask having different transparencies for adjacent pixels of the array to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 115 words

An imaging machine comprising: a radiation source; a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels; at least one optical mask between the detector pixels and the converter, the at least one optical mask having different transparencies for adjacent pixels of the array to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 31 words

The machine as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the processor uses the high and low sensitivity data in a reconstruction algorithm to generate the image at the extended dynamic range.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 99 words

An imaging machine comprising: a radiation source; a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels; a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for adjacent pixels to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 99 words

An imaging machine comprising: a radiation source; a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels; a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for adjacent pixels to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

The machine as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the processor uses the high and low sensitivity data in a reconstruction algorithm to generate the image at the extended dynamic range.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-03-14	2008-09-13	2009-03-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-03-14	2012-09-13	2013-03-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-03-14	2016-09-13	2017-03-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method, processor and computed tomography (CT) machine for generating images utilizing high and low sensitivity data collected from a flat panel detector having an extended dynamic range

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