X-ray imaging system with automatic image resolution enhancement

Abstract

An automated X-ray imaging system and method for producing a plurality of X-ray imaging signals having selectively enhanced image resolutions, e.g., for magnifying the field of view and providing a display image having features not otherwise visible to an unaided human eye. Successive doses of X-ray radiation are applied to a portion of the subject to produce corresponding image signals. Such doses of X-ray radiation are controlled by controlling X-ray radiation characteristics, such as intensity, focal spot size, focal spot location, focal spot shape, or collimation, to cause a subsequent image signal to differ from a prior image signal in one or more image characteristics, such as image resolution.

1 . An apparatus including an automated x-ray imaging system for producing a plurality of x-ray imaging signals, comprising: 
 an X-ray emission system responsive to at least one emission control signal by providing at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation, wherein said second dose differs from said first dose in one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics, and said first and second doses are at least partially non-contemporaneous;    an X-ray detection system responsive to at least one detection control signal and for placement in relation to said X-ray emission system to be responsive to at least a portion of said fist and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems by providing corresponding first and second image signals; and    a control system, coupled to said X-ray emission and detection systems, responsive to said first and second image signals by providing said emission and detection control signals, wherein said second image signal differs from said first image signal in one or more of a plurality of image characteristics.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of image characteristics comprises image resolution.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation; and    said one or more of a plurality of image characteristics comprises image resolution.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said target region is disposed in a first spatial relation to said X-ray emission system;    said target region is disposed in a second spatial relation to said X-ray detection system; and    said X-ray emission system is further responsive to said at least one emission control signal by controlling said first spatial relation.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said target region is disposed in a first spatial relation to said X-ray emission system;    said target region is disposed in a second spatial relation to said X-ray detection system; and    said X-ray detection system is further responsive to said at least one detection control signal by controlling said second spatial relation.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said target region is disposed in a first spatial relation to said X-ray emission system;    said target region is disposed in a second spatial relation to said X-ray detection system;    said X-ray emission system is further responsive to said at least one emission control signal by controlling said first spatial relation; and    said X-ray detection system is further responsive to said at least one detection control signal by controlling said second spatial relation.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said X-ray emission system comprises: 
 an X-ray source responsive to a first portion of said at least one emission control signal by providing X-ray radiation with at least one of said plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics corresponding to said first portion of said at least one emission control signal; and    a collimator coupled to said X-ray source and responsive to a second portion of said at least one emission control signal by conveying said X-ray radiation with at least another of said plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics corresponding to said second portion of said at least one emission control signal.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said X-ray detection system comprises detection circuitry responsive to a first portion of said at least one detection control signal and said respective portions of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation by providing a plurality of pixel signals.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said X-ray detection system further comprises processing circuitry coupled to said detector circuitry and responsive to a second portion of said at least one detection control signal and said plurality of pixel signals by providing said first and second image signals.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises: 
 receiving circuitry responsive to said first and second image signals by storing a corresponding plurality of image data;    processing circuitry, coupled to said receiving circuitry, to selectively process said plurality of stored image data and a plurality of reference data and in response thereto provide a plurality of control data; and    control circuitry coupled to said processing circuitry and responsive to said plurality of control data by providing said emission and detection control signals.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said receiving circuitry comprises data memory circuitry.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said processing circuitry comprises: 
 data memory circuitry to store said plurality of reference data; and    a computer, coupled to said data memory circuitry, to process said pluralities of reference and stored image data and in response thereto provide said plurality of control data.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one emission control signal comprises at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray emission system.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray emission system comprises at least one of a voltage, a current, a focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one detection control signal comprises at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray detection system.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray detection system comprises at least one of bias and dynamic range.  
     
     
         18 . A automated method for producing a plurality of X-ray imaging signals corresponding to selected views of a subject with selectively variable image resolutions, comprising: 
 receiving at least one emission control signal;    generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation, wherein said second dose differs from said first dose in one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics, and said first and second doses are at least partially non-contemporaneous;    receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject;    receiving at least one detection control signal;    generating, in response to said at least one detection control signal and said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation, first and second image signals;    processing said first and second image signals; and    generating, in response to said processed first and second image signals, said emission and detection control signals, wherein said second image signal differs from said first image signal in one or more of a plurality of image characteristics.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of image characteristics comprises image resolution.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein 
 said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation; and    said one or more of a plurality of image characteristics comprises image resolution.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises generating with an X-ray emission system, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject comprises receiving with an X-ray detection system at least a portion said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation; and    said method further comprises 
 disposing said target region in a first spatial relation to said X-ray emission system,  
 disposing said target region in a second spatial relation to said X-ray detection system, and  
 controlling said first spatial relation in further response to said at least one emission control signal.  
   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises generating with an X-ray emission system, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject comprises receiving with an X-ray detection system at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation; and    said method further comprises 
 disposing said target region in a first spatial relation to said X-ray emission system,  
 disposing said target region in a second spatial relation to said X-ray detection system, and  
 controlling said second spatial relation in further response to said at least one detection control signal.  
   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises generating with an X-ry emission system, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject comprises receiving with an X-ray detection system at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation; and    said method further comprises 
 disposing said target region in a first spatial relation to said X-ray emission system,  
 disposing said target region in a second spatial relation to said X-ray detection system,  
 controlling said first spatial relation in further response to said at least one emission control signal, and  
 controlling said second spatial relation in further response to said at least one detection control signal.  
   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises: 
 generating, in response to a first portion of said at least one emission control signal, X-ray radiation with at least one of said plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics corresponding to said first portion of said at least one emission control signal; and    collimating, in response to a second portion of said at least one emission control signal, said X-ray radiation.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said generating, in response to said at least one detection control signal and said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation, first and second image signals comprises generating, in response to a first portion of said at least one detection control signal, a plurality of pixel signals.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said generating, in response to said at least one detection control signal and said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation, first and second image signals further comprises processing said plurality of pixel signals to generate said first and second image signals.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second image signals, said emission and detection control signals comprises storing a plurality of image data corresponding to said first and second image signals.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second image signals, said emission and detection control signals further comprises processing said plurality of stored image data and a plurality of reference data and in response thereto generating a plurality of control data.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second image signals, said emission and detection control signals further comprises generating, in response to said plurality of control data, said emission and detection control signals.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second image signals, said emission and detection control signals comprises generating at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises at least one of a voltage, a current, a focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second image signs, said emission and detection control signals comprises generating at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said first and second image signals.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said fist and second image signals comprises at least one of bias and dynamic range.  
     
     
         35 . An apparatus including an automated X-ray imaging system for producing a plurality of X-ray imaging signals, comprising: 
 an X-ray emission system responsive to at least one emission control signal by providing at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation, wherein said second dose differs from said fist dose in one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics, and said first and second doses are at least partially non-contemporaneous;    an X-ray detection system responsive to at least one detection control signal and for placement in relation to said X-ray emission system to be responsive to at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems by providing corresponding first and second pluralities of image signals; and    a control system, coupled to said X-ray emission and detection systems, responsive to said first and second pluralities of image signals by providing said emission and detection control signals, wherein said second plurality of image signals differs from said first plurality of image signals in one or more of a plurality of multi-dimensional image characteristics.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of multi-dimensional image characterstics comprises image resolution.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation; and    said one or more of a plurality of multi-dimensional image characterstics comprises image resolution.    
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said target region is disposed in a plurality of spatial relations to said X-ray emission and detection systems; and    said X-ray emission system is further responsive to said at least one emission control signal by controlling at least one of said plurality of spatial relations.    
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said target region is disposed in a plurality of spatial relations to said X-ray emission and detection systems; and    said X-ray detection system is further responsive to said at least one detection control signal by controlling at least one of said plurality of spatial relations.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said target region is disposed in a plurality of spatial relations to said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said X-ray omission system is further responsive to said at least one emission control signal by controlling at least a first one of said plurality of spatial relations; and    said X-ray detection system is further responsive to said at least one detection control signal by controlling at least a second one of said plurality of spatial relations.    
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said X-ray emission system comprises: 
 an X-ray source responsive to a first portion of said at least one emission control signal by providing X-ray radiation with at least one of said plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics corresponding to said first portion of said at least one emission control signal; and    a collimator coupled to said X-ray source and responsive to a second portion of said at least one emission control signal by conveying said X-ray radiation with at least another of said plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics corresponding to said second portion of said at least one emission control signal.    
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said X-ray detection system comprises detection circuitry responsive to a first portion of said at least one detection control signal and said respective portions of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation by providing a plurality of pixel signals.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said X-ray detection system further comprises processing circuitry coupled to said detector circuitry and responsive to a second portion of said at least one detection control signal and said plurality of pixel signals by providing said first and second pluralities of image signals.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said control system comprises: 
 receiving circuitry responsive to said first and second pluralities of image signals by storing a corresponding plurality of image data;    processing circuitry, coupled to said receiving circuitry, to selectively process said plurality of stored image data and a plurality of reference data and in response thereto provide a plurality of control data; and    control circuitry coupled to said processing circuitry and responsive to said plurality of control data by providing said emission and detection control signals.    
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein said receiving circuitry comprises data memory circuitry.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein said processing circuitry comprises: 
 data memory circuitry to store said plurality of reference data; and    a computer, coupled to said data memory circuitry, to process said pluralities of reference and stored image data and in response thereto provide said plurality of control data.    
     
     
         48 . SKY The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said at least one emission control signal comprises at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray emission system.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray emission system comprises at least one of a voltage, a current, a focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said at least one detection control signal comprises at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-ray detection system.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of operating parameters for said X-my detection system comprises at least one of bias and dynamic range.  
     
     
         52 . A automated method for producing a plurality of X-ray imaging signals corresponding to selected views of a subject with selectively variable image resolutions, comprising: 
 receiving at least one emission control signal;    generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation, wherein said second dose differs from said first dose in one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics, and said first and second doses are at least partially non-contemporaneous;    receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject;    receiving at least one detection control signal;    generating, in response to said at least one detection control signal and said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation, first and second pluralities of image signals;    processing said first and second pluralities of image signals; and    generating, in response to said processed first and second pluralities of image signals, said emission and detection control signals, wherein said second plurality of image signals differs from said first plurality of image signals in one or more of a plurality of multi-dimensional image characteristics.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said one or more of a plurality of multi-dimensional image characteristics comprises image resolution.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein 
 said one or more of a plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics comprises at least one of intensity, focal spot and collimation; and    said one or more of a plurality of multi-dimensional image characteristics comprises image resolution.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises generating with an X-ray emission system, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject comprises receiving with an X-ray detection system at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation; and    said method further comprises 
 disposing said target region in a plurality of spatial relations to said X-ray Session and detection systems, and  
 controlling at least one of said plurality of spatial relations in further response to said at least one emission control signal.  
   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said generating, in response to said at least One emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises generating with an X-ray emission system, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject comprises receiving with an X-ray detection system at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation; and    said method further comprises 
 disposing said target region in a plurality of spatial relations to said X-ray emission and detection systems, and  
 controlling at least one of said plurality of spatial relations in further response to said at least one detection control signal.  
   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises generating with an X-ray emission system, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation;    said receiving at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject comprises receiving with an X-ray detection system at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation following exposure thereto of a portion of a subject disposed substantially between said X-ray emission and detection systems;    said subject portion defines a target region for said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation; and    said method further comprises 
 disposing said target region in a plurality of spatial relations to said X-ray emission and detection system,  
 controlling at least a first one of said plurality of spatial relations in further response to said at least one emission control signal, and  
 controlling at least a second one of said plurality of spatial relations in further response to said at least one detection control signal.  
   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said generating, in response to said at least one emission control signal, at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises: 
 generating, in response to a first portion of said at least one emission control signal, X-ray radiation with at least one of said plurality of X-ray radiation characteristics corresponding to said first portion of said at least one emission control signal; and    collimating, in response to a second portion of said at least one emission control signal, said X-ray radiation.    
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said generating, in response to said at least one detection control signal and said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation, first and second pluralities of image signals comprises generating, in response to a first portion of said at least one detection control signal, a plurality of pixel signals.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said generating, in response to said at least one detection control signal and said at least a portion of said first and second doses of X-ray radiation, first and second pluralities of image signals further comprises processing said plurality of pixel signals to generate said first and second pluralities of image signals.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second pluralities of image signals, said emission and detection control signals comprises storing a plurality of image data corresponding to said first and second pluralities of image signals.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second pluralities of image signals, said emission and detection control signals further comprises processing said plurality of stored image data and a plurality of reference data and in response thereto generating a plurality of control data.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second pluralities of image signals, said emission and detection control signals further comprises generating, in response to said plurality of control data, said emission and detection control signals.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second pluralities of image signals, said emission and detection control signals comprises generating at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said at least first and second doses of X-ray radiation.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said at least fist and second doses of X-ray radiation comprises at least one of a voltage, a current, a focal spot and collimation.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said generating, in response to said processed first and second pluralities of image signals, said emission and detection control signals comprises generating at least one signal for controlling at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said first and second pluralities of image signals.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein said at least one of a plurality of parameters for said generating of said first and second pluralities of image signals comprises at least one of bias and dynamic range.