Self-aligning scintillator-collimator assembly
First Claim
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1. A CT detector comprising:
- a scintillator module including at least one scintillator configured to be impinged with radiographic energy from a radiographic energy source;
at least one indexing pin connected to the scintillator module; and
a collimator assembly having a plurality of collimator elements and a plurality of teeth configured to define a relative position of the plurality of collimator elements and a portion of the plurality of teeth configured to engage the at least one indexing pin, and wherein at least two of the plurality of teeth are constructed to flank an indexing pin.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to scintillator module for a CT detector as well as an apparatus and method of manufacturing the same. The scintillator module is comprised of a scintillator array having a plurality of scintillators aligned in parallel with respect to one another. A collimator assembly includes a comb having a number of teeth and a plurality of collimator plates positioned proximate to the scintillator array. The scintillator array includes at least one indexing pin extending therefrom. The indexing pin engages the comb and is constructed to improve alignment of the scintillator array relative to the collimator plates.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A CT detector comprising:
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a scintillator module including at least one scintillator configured to be impinged with radiographic energy from a radiographic energy source; at least one indexing pin connected to the scintillator module; and a collimator assembly having a plurality of collimator elements and a plurality of teeth configured to define a relative position of the plurality of collimator elements and a portion of the plurality of teeth configured to engage the at least one indexing pin, and wherein at least two of the plurality of teeth are constructed to flank an indexing pin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A scintillator-collimator combination comprising:
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a plurality of collimator elements configured to collimate x-rays projected thereat; a scintillator module having a scintillator pack formed of a material configured to illuminate upon reception of x-rays; a comb having a plurality of teeth constructed to align the plurality of collimator elements and constructed to engage the collimator module and align the scintillator module relative to the plurality of collimator elements; and wherein the scintillator module further comprises a locating pin constructed to snuggly engage a recess of the comb, wherein the recess is defined between two of the plurality of teeth. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A CT system comprising:
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a rotatable gantry having a bore centrally disposed therein; a table movable fore and aft through the bore and configured to position a subject for CT data acquisition; a high frequency electromagnetic energy projection source positioned within the rotatably gantry and configured to project high frequency electromagnetic energy toward the subject; and a detector array disposed within the rotatably gantry and configured to detect high frequency electromagnetic energy projected by the projection source and impinged by the subject, the detector array including; a plurality of scintillator modules, each having a scintillator array and an indexing pin; a collimator assembly having a plurality of collimator plates; and a detector support having at least one comb of alignment teeth, the alignment teeth constructed to align the plurality of collimator plates and engage an indexing pin to align a scintillator array with the plurality of collimator plates. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a CT detector comprising the steps of:
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providing a scintillator away having at least one locator extending beyond the scintillator array; providing a comb having a plurality of teeth constructed to define a spacing between collimating elements of a collimator; and positioning the at least one locator between at least two of the plurality of teeth.
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Specification