Cast collimators for CT detectors and methods of making same
First Claim
1. A collimator for a CT imaging system, the collimator comprising:
- a two-dimensional honeycomb structure, wherein the two-dimensional honeycomb structure is made via a casting process, the two-dimensional honeycomb structure comprises channels of a predetermined shape running between channel walls of a predetermined thickness, and the two-dimensional honeycomb structure is capable of meeting predetermined precision requirements.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Cast collimators for use in CT imaging systems are described, as are methods of making them. Such collimators may comprise pre-patient collimators, pre-patient filter/collimator assemblies, and/or post-patient collimators. The filters and/or collimators may be made of any suitable high-density, high atomic number material such as lead, a lead alloy, tantalum, tungsten, tungsten suspended in an epoxy matrix, tungsten suspended in a slurry, or the like. Embodiments of these collimators comprise specially-designed channels and vanes that allow them to be precision cast to the necessary degree of accuracy. These channels and vanes are preferably tapered. These collimators and filter/collimator assemblies help minimize the x-ray dose to the patient by minimizing the scattered radiation creation mechanism and by collimating out much of the scattered radiation that would otherwise be subjected to the patient. These collimators may be cast as either single piece structures, or multiple pieces that can be operatively connected together.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A collimator for a CT imaging system, the collimator comprising:
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a two-dimensional honeycomb structure, wherein the two-dimensional honeycomb structure is made via a casting process, the two-dimensional honeycomb structure comprises channels of a predetermined shape running between channel walls of a predetermined thickness, and the two-dimensional honeycomb structure is capable of meeting predetermined precision requirements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A filter for use in pre-patient filter/collimator assemblies in CT imaging systems, the filter comprising a suitable high-density, high atomic number material that is capable of absorbing x-ray radiation.
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17. A pre-patient filter and collimator assembly for use in CT imaging systems, the assembly comprising:
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a filter component; and
a collimator component, wherein the filter component is operatively coupled to the collimator component and the collimator component comprises a two-dimensional honeycomb structure comprising channels of a predetermined shape running between channel walls of a predetermined thickness. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A post-patient collimator for use in CT imaging systems, the collimator comprising:
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a two-dimensional honeycomb structure comprising channels of a predetermined shape running between channel walls of a predetermined thickness, wherein the two-dimensional honeycomb structure is capable of meeting predetermined precision requirements. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification