Method for controlling emmission in an x-ray imaging device

Abstract

A method for controlling the emission of an X-ray imaging device configured to take images of a patient's body, into which a medical instrument has been inserted, is provided. The method comprises: processing at least one image of the patient's body taken by the X-ray imaging device to extract information representing the instrument, wherein the at least one image comprises the instrument; and adapting X-ray emission parameters of the X-ray imaging device, depending on the information extracted from the at least one image, to minimize the X-ray dose emitted towards the patient's body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling, the emission and processing of an X-ray imaging device configured to take images of a patient's body, the method comprising:
 using the X-ray imaging device with a processing unit, the processing unit comprising a computer configured to implement the steps of:
 processing at least one image of the patient's body taken by the X-ray imaging device; 
 calculating information representing at least one medical instrument in the patient's body from the at least one processed image; and 
 adapting X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device to obtain a given image quality target with a minimal X-ray emission dose emitted towards the patient's body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information representing the at least one medical instrument comprises information relative to each type of medical instrument of the at least one instrument. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information representing the at least one medical instrument comprises information indicative of the presence or absence of any instrument of the at least one medical instrument in the at least one processed image. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information representing the at least one medical instrument is at least one of contrast, noise, contrast to noise ratio, and instrument dimensions. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapting X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device depends on a thickness of the patient's body. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapting X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device depends on a region of the patient's body observed by the X-ray imaging device. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapting X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device depends on:
 the position of a table of the X-ray imaging device, on which the patient is positioned when images are taken by the X-ray imaging device; and/or   the position of an X-ray emitter of the X-ray imaging device.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 deducing, from the processing of the at least one image, an identification of a type of medical procedure being performed on the patient's body, wherein optimal X-ray emission parameters are associated with each type of procedure; and   adjusting the emission parameters of the X-ray imaging device to the optimal emission parameters of the medical procedure being performed on the patient's body.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapting X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device depends on the calculated information representing the at least one medical instrument in the patient's body extracted from the at least one processed image to obtain a given image quality target with a minimal X-ray emission dose emitted towards the patient's body. 
     
     
         10 . An X-ray imaging, and processing system comprising:
 an X-ray imaging device configured to acquire images of a patient's body; and   a processing unit comprising a computer configured to:
 process at least one image of the patient's body taken by the X-ray imaging device: 
 calculate information representing at least one medical instrument in the patient's body from the at least one processed image; and 
 adapt X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device to obtain a given image quality target with a minimal X-ray emission dose emitted towards the patient's body. 
   
     
     
         11 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the information representing the at least one medical instrument comprises information relative to each type of medical instrument of the at least one instrument. 
     
     
         12 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the information representing the at least one medical instrument comprises information indicative of the presence or absence of any instrument of the at least one medical instrument in the at least one processed image. 
     
     
         13 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the information representing the at least one medical instrument is at least one of contrast, noise, contrast to noise ratio, and instrument dimensions. 
     
     
         14 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to adapt the X-ray emission parameters based on a thickness of the patient's body. 
     
     
         15 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processing Unit is further configured to adapt X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device based on a region of the patient's body imaged by the X-ray imaging device. 
     
     
         16 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to adapt X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device based on:
 the position of a table of the X-ray imaging device on which the patient is positioned when images are taken by the X-ray imaging device; and/or   the position of an X-ray emitter of the X-ray imaging device.   
     
     
         17 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processing: unit is farther configured to:
 deduce, from the at least one processed image, an identification of a type of medical procedure being performed on the patient's body, wherein optimal X-ray emission parameters are associated with each type of procedure; and   adjust the X-ray emission parameters to the optimal emission parameters of the medical procedure being performed on the patient's body.   
     
     
         18 . The X-ray imaging and processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to adapt X-ray emission parameters and image processing parameters of the X-ray imaging device based on the calculated information representing the at least one medical instrument in the patient's body extracted from the at least one processed image to obtain a given image quality target with a minimal X-ray emission dose emitted towards the patient's body.