Patent · US Active

System and method for tracking x-ray tube focal spot position

US11471118B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
266References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 2021
Grant dateOct 18, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 24, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05G1/52
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods and devices for tracking an x-ray tube focal spot position are described. As successive images are captured by an image capturing system that includes the x-ray tube, the focal spot may change position. To track the change, one or more artificial targets may be arranged relative to the image capturing system such that an initial image is received that includes the artificial targets at a first position in the initial image. A gain map may be generated based on the initial image, and applied to a subsequent image received that also includes the artificial targets to generate a normalized subsequent image. A shift of the artificial targets from the first position in the initial image to a second position in the normalized subsequent image may be identified, where the shift corresponds to the focal spot's position change. Mathematical and/or physical adjustments may be made to correct for the change.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.