Apparatus and method for multi-modal imaging

Abstract

An imaging system and method for imaging an immobilized object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes means for imaging the immobilized object in various imaging modes to capture images of the object. The imaging system further includes a movable phosphor screen. The phosphor screen is adapted to be movable without moving the immobilized object and support member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging system for imaging an object, comprising:
 a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   an imaging unit:
 for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, the first imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: x-ray mode and radio isotope mode; and 
 for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode that uses light from the immobilized object, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image, the second imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode, and luminescence mode; 
   a movable phosphor plate to transduce ionizing radiation to visible light, the phosphor plate being mounted to be moved, while the object remains immobilized on the support member, between:
 a first position proximate the support member for and during capture of the first image; and 
 a second position not proximate the support member during capture of the second image; and 
   a capture system for capturing either the first image or the second image of the object.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising an image merging unit for generating a third image by merging the first and second images. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple optical elements to enable the location of a common focal plane shared by the first and second imaging modes. 
     
     
         4 . An imaging system for imaging an object, comprising:
 a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   an imaging unit:
 for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, the first imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: x-ray imaging mode and isotope imaging mode; and 
 for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode that uses light from the object to capture a second image, the second imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: bright-field imaging mode and dark-field imaging mode; 
   a movable phosphor plate mounted to be disposed in a first position proximate the support member when capturing the first image;
 means for removing the phosphor plate from the first position proximate the support member, after capturing the first image and while the object remains immobilized on the support member, and for moving the phosphor plate to a second position not proximate the support member prior to capturing the second image; and 
   a capture system for capturing either the first image or the second image of the object.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging system of  claim 4 , further comprising an image merging unit for generating a third image by merging the first and second images. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging system of  claim 4 , further comprising multiple optical elements to enable the location of a common focal plane shared by the first and second imaging modes. 
     
     
         7 . A method of imaging an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   providing a phosphor plate adapted to be disposed proximate the support member when capturing a first image;   disposing the phosphor plate proximate the support member;   imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture the first image, the first imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: x-ray mode and radio isotope mode;   removing the phosphor plate from proximate the support member, after capturing the first image and while the object remains immobilized on the support member; and   with the phosphor plate removed from proximate the support member, imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode that uses light from the object to capture a second image, the second imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: bright-field mode and dark-field mode.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of generating a third image by merging the first and second images. 
     
     
         9 . A method of imaging an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   providing a phosphor plate movable relative to the support member, while the object remains immobilized on the support member, between a first position wherein the phosphor plate is in optical registration with the support member and a second position wherein the phosphor plate is not in optical registration with the support member;   disposing the phosphor plate in the first position;   capturing a first, x-ray image or a first, radio isotopic image of the immobilized object when the phosphor plate is disposed in the first position;   moving the phosphor plate to the second position; and   using light from the object, capturing a second, dark-field image or a second, bright-field image of the immobilized object when the phosphor plate is disposed in the second position.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating a third image by merging the first and second images; and   displaying, transmitting, processing, or printing, the third image.   
     
     
         11 . An imaging system for imaging an object, comprising:
 a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   an imaging unit:
 for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, the first imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: x-ray imaging mode and isotope imaging mode; and 
 for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode that uses light from the object to capture a second image, the second imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: bright-field imaging mode and dark-field imaging mode; 
   a movable phosphor plate mounted to be disposed in a first position proximate the support member when capturing the first image;   means for removing the phosphor plate from the first position proximate the support member, after capturing the first image and while the object remains immobilized on the support member, and for moving the phosphor plate to a second position not proximate the support member prior to capturing the second image; and   a capture system for capturing either the first image or the second image of the object, the capture system comprising a camera, a first mirror on a first side of the support member for reflecting to the camera light from the object or from the phosphor plate to capture the first and second images; and a second mirror on a second, opposite side of the support member for reflecting to the camera light to capture a third image from an opposite side of the object than that of the second image.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging system of  claim 11 , wherein the capture system further comprises a computer for receiving data from the camera and generating a fourth image by merging the first and second images and a fifth image by merging the first and third images. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging system of  claim 11 , further comprising an image merging unit for generating a fourth image by merging the first and second images. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging system of  claim 11 , further comprising multiple optical elements to enable the location of a common focal plane shared by the first and second imaging modes. 
     
     
         15 . A method of imaging an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   placing the object on the support member in an immobilized state;   providing a phosphor plate adapted to be disposed proximate the support member when capturing a first image;   disposing the phosphor plate proximate the support member;   imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture the first image, the first imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: x-ray mode and radio isotope mode;   removing the phosphor plate from proximate the support member, after capturing the first image and while the object remains immobilized on the support member;   with the phosphor plate removed from proximate the support member, imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode that uses light from the object to capture a second image, the second imaging mode being selected from the group consisting of: bright-field mode and dark-field mode; and   imaging the immobilized object in the second imaging mode, but from a side of the object opposite that used when capturing the second image, to capture a third image.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of generating a fourth image by merging the first and second images and a fifth image by merging the first and third images. 
     
     
         17 . A method of imaging an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state;   placing the object on the support member in an immobilized state;   providing a phosphor plate movable relative to the support member, while the object remains immobilized on the support member, between a first position wherein the phosphor plate is in optical registration with the support member and a second position wherein the phosphor plate is not in optical registration with the support member;   disposing the phosphor plate in the first position;   capturing a first, x-ray image or a first, radio isotopic image of the immobilized object when the phosphor plate is disposed in the first position;   moving the phosphor plate to the second position;   using light from the object, capturing a second, dark-field image or a second, bright-field image of the immobilized object when the phosphor plate is disposed in the second position; and   using light from the object, capturing a third, dark-field image or a third, bright-field image of the immobilized object from a side of the object opposite that used during capture of the second, dark-field image or the second, bright-field image.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating a third image by merging the first and second images;   generating a fourth image by merging the first and third images; and   displaying, transmitting, processing, or printing, the third and fourth merged images.