Collimator assembly having multi-piece components
First Claim
1. A collimator for a CT detector array, the collimator comprising:
- a first component configured to collimate high frequency electromagnetic energy rays projected from a projection source toward a subject to be scanned along a projection path, the first component having a proximate end and a distal end defined relative to the projection source;
a second component discrete from the first component and positioned at least approximate the distal end of the first component, configured to shield at least one of a scintillator edge, a reflector, and a photodiode of a CT detector array; and
wherein the first component is constructed from material different from the second component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a collimator assembly defined by a series of multi-piece collimator elements or plates that extend along at least one dimension of a scintillator pack. Each collimator element has a collimating component and a shielding component that are structurally independent from one another. The collimating components may be connected to the shielding components or separated by a small air gap. The shielding components are wider than the collimating components but the collimating components have a greater height. With this construction, the collimator assembly optimizes collimation and shielding with lower material requirements and reduced overall size.
56 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A collimator for a CT detector array, the collimator comprising:
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a first component configured to collimate high frequency electromagnetic energy rays projected from a projection source toward a subject to be scanned along a projection path, the first component having a proximate end and a distal end defined relative to the projection source; a second component discrete from the first component and positioned at least approximate the distal end of the first component, configured to shield at least one of a scintillator edge, a reflector, and a photodiode of a CT detector array; and wherein the first component is constructed from material different from the second component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A CT detector array assembly comprising:
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a scintillator array configured to output light when impinged by x-rays; a plurality of collimating elements arranged to filter x-rays projected at the scintillator array by an x-ray source; a plurality of shielding elements secured to the scintillator array and arranged to at least shield scintillator edges from x-ray absorption; and a photodiode array configured to detect light output of the scintillator array and output a series of electrical signals that can be processed to reconstruct a CT image. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A CT detector array comprising:
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a scintillator pack having a plurality of scintillators arranged in a cellular array; a plurality of shielding elements secured to the scintillator pack such that a shielding element is formed between adjacent cells of scintillators; an array of collimator elements wherein each collimator element generally aligns with a corresponding shielding element; and a photodiode array coupled to the scintillator pack. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification