# US 12,109,054 B2 · Method and apparatus for flat panel computed tomography > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,054 B2 - Document ID: US12109054B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/612,803 - Filed: 2020-05-22 - Published: 2022-08-04 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-23 - Assignees: Ka Imaging Inc. - Applicants: Ka Imaging Inc. - Inventors: Amol S. Karnick; Karim S. Karim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109054B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/06: Diaphragms - A61B 6/4085: {Cone-beams} - A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]} - A61B 6/08: Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams - A61B 6/4014: {arranged in multiple source-detector units} - A61B 6/4078: {Fan-beams} - A61B 6/4233: {using matrix detectors} - A61B 6/4441: {the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm} - G01N 23/046: using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT] - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A computed tomography (CT) scanning apparatus that includes a set of X-ray sources and a set of flat panel detectors with a set of source collimators and a set of detector collimators therebetween. The design of the openings of the set of detector collimators is such that the images received by the set of flat panel detectors may be combined, or stitched together to generate a single X-ray image. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computed tomography (CT) scanning apparatus comprising: at least two X-ray sources for generating X-ray beams; at least two flat panel X-ray detectors, wherein each of the at least two flat panel X-ray detectors is associated with one of the at least two X-ray sources, the number of flat panel X-ray detectors equal to the number of X-ray sources; a set of X-ray source collimators for collimating the X-ray beams from the at least two X-ray sources; a set of detector collimators for collimating the X-ray beams prior to the X-ray beams reaching the at least two flat panel X-ray detectors; a set of stationary rings where the at least two X-ray sources and the at least two flat panel X-ray detectors are mounted; and a rotational ring where the set of X-ray source collimators and the set of detector collimators are mounted. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the set of detector collimators equals the number of flat panel X-ray detectors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the set of detector collimators comprise at least one detector collimator opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 3 wherein a combination of all of the detector collimator openings of the set of detector collimators equal a surface of the flat panel X-ray detectors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one detector collimator opening for each of the set of detector collimators is offset from the at least one detector collimator openings for the other of the set of detector collimators. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one detector collimator openings for each of the set of detector collimators combine with the at least one detector collimator openings for each of the other of the set of detector collimators to equal a surface area of a flat panel X-ray detector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least two X-ray sources comprise a thermionic emission source or a cold cathode source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gantry ring where the at least two X-ray sources, the at least two flat panel X-ray detectors, the set of X-ray source collimators and the set of detector collimators are mounted. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processor for combining images received by the set of flat panel X-ray detectors into a full X-ray image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the set of flat panel X-ray detectors is a set of filed flat panel detectors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The CT scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the set of flat panel X-ray detectors are a set of rigid flat panel X-ray detectors or a set of flexible flat panel X-ray detectors. ### Claim 12 A method of computer tomography (CT) scanning comprising: directing a set of X-ray beams from a set of X-ray sources towards a set of flat panel X-ray detectors wherein the set of X-ray sources and the set of flat panel X-ray detectors are mounted to a set of stationary rings; collimating the set of X-ray beams via a set of detector collimators before the X-ray beams reach the set of flat panel X-ray detectors wherein the set of detector collimators are mounted to a rotational ring; and combining images generated by set of flat panel X-ray detectors into a full X-ray image. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising: collimating the set of X-ray beams via a set of source collimators before collimating the set of X-ray beams via the set of detector collimators. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein collimating the set of X-ray beams via the set of source collimators comprises: collimating the X-ray beams into a set of fan beam X-rays. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the set of detector collimators comprise openings that when combined equal a surface area of the flat panel X-ray detector. ### Claim 16 A computed tomography (CT) scanning apparatus comprising: at least one stationary X-ray source for generating X-ray beams; a stationary circular ring of flat panel X-ray detectors for receiving the X-ray beams; and a rotating ring including: a set of X-ray source collimators for collimating the X-ray beams from the at least one stationary X-ray source; and a set of detector collimators for collimating the X-ray beams prior to the X-ray beams reaching the stationary circular ring of flat panel X-ray detectors.