X-ray CT imaging apparatus with varied energy level detection capability

• US 5,570,403 A
• Filed: 04/19/1994
• Issued: 10/29/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yaoi, Yoshiaki, Yamazaki, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Application Number:
  US08/229,635
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 378/5, 378/19, 378/84, 378/98.9, 378/98.11, 378/98.12
• US Class Current: 378/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/027 characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4021 involving movement of the focal spot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4035 the source being combined with a filter or grating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/405 Source units specially adapted to modify characteristics of the beam during the data acquisition process A61B6/4021, A61B6/4035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4085 Cone-beams
• 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 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging

Abstract

An X-ray computerized tomographic (CT) imaging apparatus which can achieve a multiple energy scanning system on a real time basis so that plural kinds of tomographic information can be obtained corresponding to plural types of energy characteristics. The X-ray CT imaging apparatus includes: an X-ray tube for irradiating an X-ray to a biological body under medical examination; a plurality of detection systems for detecting an X-ray energy transmitted through the biological body, in which the plural detection systems have different energy characteristics respectively; a data acquisition unit for acquiring respective transmission X-ray energy data of the biological body which are detected by the plural detection systems; and a reconstruction unit for reconstructing a tomographic image for the biological body in accordance with data from the data acquisition unit.

Claims

1. An X-ray computerized tomographic (CT) imaging apparatus comprising:

an X-ray tube for irradiating X-rays to a biological body under medical examination;

a plurality of detection systems for detecting an X-ray energy transmitted through the biological body, the plural detection systems having different energy characteristics respectively;

data acquisition means for acquiring respective transmission X-ray energy data of the biological body which are detected by the plural detection systems;

reconstruction means for reconstructing a tomographic image for the biological body in accordance with data from the data acquisition means; and

switch means for switching between a dual-energy scanning mode and a multi-slice scanning mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch means includes an X-ray cutting means in which an energy level is differentiated among the plurality of detection systems.

3. A helical scanning type X-ray (CT) apparatus comprising:

X-ray source means for irradiating X-rays to a biological body, the X-ray source means rotating around the biological body;

a plurality of detection systems for detecting an X-ray energy transmitted through the biological body, the plural detection systems having different energy characteristics respectively;

a bed portion on which the biological body lies and which translates the biological body in a longitudinal direction;

bed drive means for driving the bed portion;

data acquisition means for acquiring respective transmission X-ray energy data of the biological body which are detected by the plural detection systems, and for acquiring translation data on the biological body lying on the bed portion;

reconstruction means for reconstructing a tomographic image for the biological body in accordance with data from the data acquisition means; and

switch means for switching between a dual-energy scanning mode and a multi-slice scanning mode.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the switch means includes an X-ray cutting means in which an energy level is differentiated among the plurality of detection systems.