Rotational computed tomography system and method
First Claim
1. An imaging system comprising:
- one or more distributed X-ray sources configured to generate X-ray radiation towards an imaging volume; and
one or more detectors for receiving the X-ray radiation after attenuation in the imaging volume and processing corresponding signals to produce measurement data, wherein the distributed X-ray sources and/or the detectors are arranged about a scanner aperture such that at least one of the X-ray sources or detectors rotate in relation to the imaging volume during an imaging sequence.
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Abstract
Geometries and configurations are provided for CT systems in which rotational loading is reduced, permitting higher speeds and lighter structures to be implemented in the systems. In certain embodiments a distributed and addressable rotating radiation source is provided with a rotating detector. In other embodiments a distributed and addressable stationary radiation source is provided with a rotating detector. In yet other embodiments a distributed and addressable radiation source is provided that rotates with respect to a stationary detector. The sources may be ring-like, arcuate and/or lines extending at least in the Z-direction. Sources may include a large number of distributed emitters arranged in lines, arcs and one- or two-dimensional arrays.
114 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An imaging system comprising:
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one or more distributed X-ray sources configured to generate X-ray radiation towards an imaging volume; and
one or more detectors for receiving the X-ray radiation after attenuation in the imaging volume and processing corresponding signals to produce measurement data, wherein the distributed X-ray sources and/or the detectors are arranged about a scanner aperture such that at least one of the X-ray sources or detectors rotate in relation to the imaging volume during an imaging sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An X-ray imaging system for scanning a volume to be imaged, the system comprising:
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one or more distributed X-ray sources substantially surrounding an imaging volume and configured to emanate an X-ray radiation;
a control circuit operably coupled to the distributed X-ray sources;
one or more detectors for receiving the X-ray radiation after attenuation in the imaging volume;
a motor controller configured to displace at least one of the distributed X-ray sources, and the detectors;
a processing circuit operably coupled to the detectors configured to receive the plurality of projection images and to form one or more reconstructed slices representative of the volume being imaged; and
an operator workstation operably coupled to the processing circuit configured to display the one or more reconstructed slices, wherein the distributed X-ray sources and/or the detectors are arranged about a scanner aperture such that at least one of the X-ray sources or detectors rotate in relation to the imaging volume during an imaging sequence. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of scanning a volume to be imaged, the method comprising:
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providing one or more distributed X-ray sources for generating X-ray radiation towards an imaging volume; and
providing one or more detectors for receiving the X-ray radiation after attenuation, wherein generating and receiving the X-ray radiation is accomplished by rotating at least one of the distributed X-ray sources or detectors in relation to the imaging volume during an imaging sequence. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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Specification