Patent ID: 6865248
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for acquiring a three-dimensional image data set of a moving organ of a body of a patient, comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of different X-ray positions of an X-ray device including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector required to obtain the three-dimensional image data set, the X-ray positions being situated in a common plane, defining an X-ray cycle in which all of the X-ray positions are successively occupied, the X-ray positions in each X-ray cycle including a common initial X-ray position and a common final X-ray position different than the initial X-ray position, detecting a motion signal related to periodic motion of the organ which has a low-motion phase and a high-motion phase, simultaneously with detection of the motion signal, successively moving the X-ray device to all of the X-ray positions in the X-ray cycle and acquiring a plurality of projection data sets required for formation of the three-dimensional image data set, each of the projection data sets being acquired when the X-ray device is in a respective one of the x-ray positions, successively completing a plurality of X-ray cycles, controlling movement of the X-ray device and the acquisition of the projection data sets by the X-ray device by means of the motion signal such that a projection data set during the low-motion phase of the organ required for the formation of the three-dimensional image data set is acquired when the X-ray device is in each X-ray position, said step of controlling the movement of the X-ray device comprising the step of controlling a start of each of the X-ray cycles based on the motion signal to cause the forthcoming X-ray cycle to commence from the initial X-ray position at a different instant in the different phases of motion of the organ than any preceding X-ray cycles, and using the projection data sets acquired during the low-motion phases for the formation of the three-dimensional image data set, said step of successively completing the plurality of X-ray cycles comprising: beginning each X-rd-y cycle with the X-ray device in the initial X-ray position; ending each X-ray cycle with the X-ray device in the final X-ray position; and then moving the X-ray device from the final X-ray position back to the initial X-ray position to begin a subsequent X-ray cycle in a time interval which allows the subsequent X-ray cycle to commence at a different phase of motion of the organ.