Folded array CT baggage scanner
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A detector assembly for a computed tomography scanner having an x-ray source to provide an x-ray beam, the detector assembly comprising:
- a gantry having a center line extending from the x-ray source and dividing the gantry into two substantially equal-sized halves; and
a detector array mounted to the gantry, the detector array comprising;
a first plurality of detectors forming a first sub-array having a first end, the first sub-array being disposed with the center line passing therethrough, the first sub-array disposed to receive a first angular extent of the x-ray beam extending in an angular direction from the center lien to the first end; and
a second plurality of detectors forming a second sub-array, the second sub-array having a first end, the second sub-array disposed to receive a second angular extent of the x-ray beam that is adjacent the first angular extent and extends further from the center line than the first angular extent, wherein the first end of the second sub-array is disposed closer to the center line than the first end of the first sub-array.
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Abstract
A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A detector assembly for a computed tomography scanner having an x-ray source to provide an x-ray beam, the detector assembly comprising:
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a gantry having a center line extending from the x-ray source and dividing the gantry into two substantially equal-sized halves; and a detector array mounted to the gantry, the detector array comprising; a first plurality of detectors forming a first sub-array having a first end, the first sub-array being disposed with the center line passing therethrough, the first sub-array disposed to receive a first angular extent of the x-ray beam extending in an angular direction from the center lien to the first end; and a second plurality of detectors forming a second sub-array, the second sub-array having a first end, the second sub-array disposed to receive a second angular extent of the x-ray beam that is adjacent the first angular extent and extends further from the center line than the first angular extent, wherein the first end of the second sub-array is disposed closer to the center line than the first end of the first sub-array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computed tomography (CT) scanner for scanning an object, the CT scanner comprising:
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a tunnel; a conveyor to move the object through the tunnel; an x-ray source to provide an x-ray beam that intersects the tunnel; a gantry movable relative to the tunnel and having an opening for receiving the conveyor, the gantry having a centerline extending from the x-ray source and bisecting the gantry into substantially equally sized halves; and a detector array, mounted to the gantry, comprising; a first plurality of detectors forming a first sub-array having a first end, the first sub-array being disposed with the center line passing therethrough, the first sub-array disposed to receive a first angular extent of the x-ray beam extending in an angular direction from the center line to the first end; and a second plurality of detectors forming a second sub-array, the second sub-array having a first end, the second sub-array disposed to receive a second angular extend of the x-ray beam that is adjacent the first angular extent and extends further from the center line than the first angular extent, wherein the first end of the second sub-array is disposed closer to the center line than the first end of the first sub-array. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computed tomography (CT) scanner for scanning an object, the CT scanner comprising:
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a tunnel; a conveyor to move the object through the tunnel; an x-ray source to provide an x-ray beam that intersects the tunnel; a gantry movable relative to the tunnel and having an opening for receiving the conveyor, the gantry having a centerline extending from the x-ray source and bisecting the gantry into substantially equally sized halves; and a plurality of detectors disposed on the gantry and arranged to receive the x-ray beam, the plurality of detectors being arranged in at least three sets comprising a first set, a second set and a third set; wherein; the first set comprises a first set of contiguous detectors that are positioned opposite the x-ray source so that the gantry has first and second sections extending on opposite sides of the gantry between the x-ray source and the first set; the second set comprises a second set of contiguous detectors that are positioned entirely on the first section of the gantry, the second set being spaced from the first set in a direction toward the x-ray source so that first and second sets are not contiguous, at least one of the detectors in the second set being positioned closer to the centerline than at least one of the detectors in the first set; and a third set comprises a third set of contiguous detectors that are positioned entirely on the second section of the gantry, the third set being spaced from the first set in a direction toward the x-ray source so that the first and third sets are not contiguous, at least one of the detectors in the third set being positioned closer to the centerline than at least one of the detectors in the first set. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification