Computed tomography system with adjustable focal spot-to-detector distance

• US 20060222143A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Du, Jian
• Granted Patent: US 7,418,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4435 the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4452 the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/588 Setting distance between source unit and detector unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/612 biological material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]

Abstract

A computed tomography system with an adjustable focal spot-to-detector distance has a gantry provided with a patient opening, an x-ray tube and a detector, respectively mounted at opposite sides of the gantry. The x-ray tube has a focal spot and the x-ray fan beam radiated from the focal spot exhibits a fixed aperture angle. The x-ray tube is installed on a linear track and can be moved along the rail of the linear track.

Claims

1. A computed tomography system comprising:

a gantry having a patient opening therein;

an x-ray tube and a detector mounted opposite each other at said gantry, said x-ray tube having a focal spot from which x-ray radiation is emitted with a fixed aperture angle; and

said x-ray tube being mounted at said gantry on a linear track having a rail, and being moveable along said rail of said linear track to selectively adjust a distance between said focal spot and said detector.

2. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a detector mount on which said detector is mounted at said gantry.

3. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said detector mount comprises a linear track having a rail, with said detector being moveable along said rail of said linear track of said detector mount to participate in adjusting said distance between said focal spot and said detector.

4. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 3 wherein a displacement distance of said detector is determined by controlling a length of said rail of said linear track of said detector mount.

5. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a displacement distance of said x-ray tube is determined by controlling a length of said rail of said linear track along which said x-ray tube is moveable.

6. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gantry comprises an inner enclosure surrounding said patient opening, said inner enclosure being mechanically adjustable to adjust a radius of said patient opening.

7. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 6 comprising a coupling arrangement that couples adjustment of said inner enclosure with movement of said x-ray tube to set a maximum radius of said patient opening dependent on movement of said x-ray tube.

8. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 7 comprising a detector mount on which said detector is mounted at said gantry, said detector mount comprising a linear track having a rail along which said detector mount is moveable.

9. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said coupling arrangement couples adjustment of said inner enclosure to movement of said x-ray tube and to movement of said detector.

10. A computed tomography system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said inner enclosure is comprised of a plurality of movement-coupled, overlapping lamella elements.