Method of manufacturing, and a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics for a CT system

• US 7,031,434 B1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ross, Steven, Toth, Thomas, Saunders, Rowland
• Primary Examiner(s): Glick, Edward J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAO, CHIH CHENG G
• Application Number:
  US10/604,634
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 378/145, 378/147, 378/148, 378/150, 378/151, 250/505.1
• US Class Current: 378/150
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/02 using diaphragms, collimators
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/04 using variable diaphragms, shutters, choppers

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel for a CT imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a core of base material, wherein the core includes a cylindrical rod; and

applying a tapered layer of x-ray attenuating material to the core, wherein the step of applying includes;

placing a cast circumferentially around the core, wherein the cast has an inner surface creating varying degrees of thickness circumferentially around the core; and

placing the cast circumferentially around the core such that a void of varying thickness is created between an outer surface of the core and an inner surface of the cast and filling the void with the attenuating material and allowing the attenuating material to cure and then removing the cast.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the attenuating material is at least one of an attenuating alloy and an attenuating epoxy.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the attenuating material is tungsten.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of affixing a thin layer of tungsten to the core and then machining the thin layer to have a varying thickness.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the base material includes stainless steel.

6. A CT collimator mandrel comprising a solid cylindrical rod positioned within a layer of attenuating material, the mandrel formed by:

shaping a bulk of supporting material into a core;

positioning the core in a cast such that a non-uniform void is created between an outer surface of the core and an inner surface of the cast;

placing attenuating material into the void; and

removing the cast upon curing of the attenuating material.

7. The CT collimator mandrel of claim 6 further formed by machining the cured attenuating material to create a tapered attenuating material layer.

8. The CT collimator mandrel of claim 6 wherein the attenuating material extends circumferentially around an entire length of the core.

9. The CT collimator mandrel of claim 6 wherein the supporting material includes stainless steel and the attenuating material includes tungsten.

10. A process of constructing a mandrel for a CT imaging system, the process comprising the steps of:

forming a solid cylindrical rod of a first material;

depositing a layer of a second material designed to substantially block x-rays on the cylindrical rod; and

affixing a pivot stud to each end of the cylindrical rod to support connection of the rod to an eccentrics assembly.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein the first material includes stainless steel.

12. The process of claim 10 wherein the second material includes tungsten.

13. The process of claim 12 further comprising the step of machining the layer of second material to be tapered circumferentially around the rod.

14. A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel for a CT imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a core of base material; and

applying a tapered layer of attenuating material to the core, wherein the step of applying includes;

placing a cast circumferentially around the core, wherein the cast has an inner surface creating varying degrees of thickness circumferentially around the core;

placing the cast circumferentially around the core such that a void of varying thickness is created between an outer surface of the core and an inner surface of the cast;

filling the void with the attenuating material; and

allowing the attenuating material to cure and then removing the cast.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the attenuating material is at least one of an attenuating alloy and an attenuating epoxy.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the attenuating material is tungsten.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the core includes a cylindrical rod.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the base material includes stainless steel.