Method and system for creating three-dimensional images using tomosynthetic ...

(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING
THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES USING
TOMOSYNTHETIC COMPUTED
TOMOGRAPHY

(75) Inventors: Richard L. Webber, Winson-Salem;

Roger A. Horton, Winston-Salem, both ol NC (US)

(73) Assignee: Wake Forest University,

Winston-Salem, NC (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/034,922

(22) Filed: Mar. 5, 1998

(51) Int. CI. A61B 6/02

(52) U.S. CI 600/426; 378/23; 382/131

(58) Field of Search 600/426; 378/38,

378/166, 205-207, 23; 382/128, 131, 285, 287, 289, 295, 298; 356/393, 398, 401,

247, 248

(56) References Cited

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5,359,637 10/1994 Webber 378/2

5.642,293 * 6/1997 Manthey et al. .

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5,828,722 * 10/1998 Ploetz et al. .

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5,878,104 * 3/1999 Ploetz .

6,081,577 * 6/2000 Webber .

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Tsuneo Saito et al., "Three-Dimensional Quantitative Coronary Angiography," IEEE Transacations on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 37, No. 8, Aug. 1990, pp. 768-777. "Proceedings of 14th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physicists." vol. 17, No. 6, 26-29, Jun. 1972. Philadelphia, p. 878, R.Mohan et 1., "A Computer-Assisted Rapid Method for source ocalization in Interstitial Implants," abstract.

Webber et al., "Synthesis of Arbitrary X-Ray Projections From a Finite Number of Existing Projections," SPIE, vol. 535, 1985, p. 84-91.

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Webber et al., "Tuned-aperture computed tompgraphy (TACTTM). Theory and application for three-dimensional dento-alveolar imaging," Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (1997) 26, pp. 53-62.

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Marvin M. Lateef

Assistant Examiner—Shawna J Shaw

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dann, Dorfman, Herrell &

Skillman, PC.

(57) ABSTRACT

A system for constructing image slices through a selected object, the system comprising an identifiable fiducial reference in a fixed position relative to the selected object, wherein the fiducial reference comprises at least two identifiable reference markers. A source of radiation is provided for irradiating the selected object and the fiducial reference to form a projected image of the selected object and the fiducial reference which is recorded by a recording medium.

23 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets