X-RAY CT APPARATUS AND X-RAY DETECTOR

• US 20160066876A1
• Filed: 11/16/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Inc.), Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: YAMAZAKI, Masahiko
• Granted Patent: US 10,588,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/03 Computed tomography [CT] echo-tomography A61B8/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/035 Mechanical aspects of CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/42 Arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4208 characterised by using a particular type of detector
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4241 using energy resolving detectors, e.g. photon counting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4266 characterised by using a plurality of detector units A61B6/4014 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/44 Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4411 the apparatus being modular A61B6/4283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4429 related to the mounting of source units and detector units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4435 the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4441 the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4447 Tiltable gantries
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/566 involving communication between diagnostic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2985 In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); using external radiation sources A61B6/02

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus includes a fixed part, a rotating part, a detector, an A/D converter, a data transmitter, and a wireless transceiver. The rotating part is configured to be rotatably attached to the fixed part to rotate around a subject. The detector is arranged in the rotating part, and detects X-rays emitted from an irradiator and generates an analog signal. The A/D converter is arranged in the rotating part, and converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The data transmitter is arranged in the rotating part, and, upon receipt of the digital signal from the A/D converter, transmits the digital signal to a data receiver arranged in the fixed part. The wireless transceiver wirelessly transmits and receives signals in at least a part between the detector and the A/D converter or between the A/D converter and the data transmitter.

Claims

1. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising:

a fixed part;

a rotating part configured to be rotatably attached to the fixed part to rotate around a subject;

a detector arranged in the rotating part, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from an irradiator and generate an analog signal;

an analog-to-digital converter arranged in the rotating part, and configured to convert the analog signal to a digital signal;

a data transmitter arranged in the rotating part, and configured to, upon receipt of the digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter, transmit the digital signal to a data receiver arranged in the fixed part; and

a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit and receive signals in at least a part between the detector and the analog-to-digital converter or between the analog-to-digital converter and the data transmitter.

2. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a substrate configured to be removably attached to the X-ray CT apparatus, wherein

the detector and the analog-to-digital converter are arranged in the substrate.

3. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a support member, wherein

the wireless transceiver is further configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals in at least a part between the analog-to-digital converter and the data transmitter, and includes a receiver configured to receive the digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter, and transmit the digital signal to the data receiver,

the support member is configured to support the receiver,

one of the support member and the substrate includes a positioning pin,

another of the support member and the substrate has a recess, into which the positioning pin is insertable, and

the support member and the substrate are engaged with each other by insertion of the positioning pin in the recess.

4. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless power supply configured to supply electric power wirelessly in at least a part between the detector and the analog-to-digital converter or between the analog-to-digital converter and the data transmitter.

5. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 1, configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals in units of modules, which are divided in at least body axis direction of the subject, wherein

the modules include a first module and a second module,

in the first module, the wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals at a first timing, and

in the second module, the wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals at a second timing that is different from the first timing.

6. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 1, configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals in units of modules, which are divided in at least body axis direction of the subject, wherein

the modules include a first module and a second module,

in the first module, the wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals at a first frequency, and

in the second module, the wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the signals at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency.

7. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wired transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via wire in at least a part between the detector and the analog-to-digital converter or between the analog-to-digital converter and the data transmitter, wherein

the signals are transmitted and received in units of modules, which are divided in at least body axis direction of the subject,

the modules include a first module and a second module,

in the first module, the wireless transceiver wirelessly transmits and receives the signals, and

in the second module, the wired transceiver transmits and receives the signals via wire.

8. The X-ray CT apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second module is located at an end of the modules.

9. An X-ray detector comprising:

a detector configured to detect X-rays emitted from an irradiator and generate an analog signal;

an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog signal to a digital signal;

a controller configured to transmit the digital signal to a transmitter; and

a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit and receive signals in at least a part between the detector and the analog-to-digital converter or between the analog-to-digital converter and the controller.