# US 12,213,821 B2 · X-ray CT apparatus, determination method, and storage medium

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,213,821 B2
- Document ID: US12213821B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/166,515
- Filed: 2023-02-09
- Published: 2023-08-17
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2022-02-16
- Assignees: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
- Applicants: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
- Inventors: Yu Sasaki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213821B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/4241: {using energy resolving detectors, e.g. photon counting}
- A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]}
- A61B 6/586: {Detection of faults or malfunction of the device}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An X-ray CT apparatus of an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry detects X-rays radiated from an X-ray tube in units of photons. The processing circuitry stores first energy spectrum information acquired by detecting X-rays at a first timing. The processing circuitry acquires second energy spectrum information by detecting X-rays at a second timing after the first timing. The processing circuitry determines a state of the X-ray tube on the basis of the first energy spectrum information and the second energy spectrum information.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An X-ray CT apparatus comprising a processing circuitry configured to:
detect X-rays radiated from an X-ray tube in units of photons;
store first energy spectrum information acquired by detecting X-rays at a first timing;
acquire second energy spectrum information by detecting X-rays at a second timing after the first timing; and
determine a state of the X-ray tube on the basis of the first energy spectrum information and the second energy spectrum information.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry determines the state of the X-ray tube on the basis of a difference between a count value of photon counting in a predetermined energy bin included in the first energy spectrum information and a count value of photon counting in the predetermined energy bins included in the second energy spectrum information.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry determines a degree of deterioration of the X-ray tube on the basis of a result of comparison between a count value of photon counting of each of two different energy bins among a plurality of energy bins included in the first energy spectrum information and a count value of photon counting of each of the two different energy bins among a plurality of energy bins included in the second energy spectrum information.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry performs a predetermined notification for a target on the basis of the determined state of the X-ray tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first timing is a timing when a genuine X-ray tube is installed, the second timing is a timing when the X-ray tube is exchanged, and the processing circuitry determines whether or not the exchanged X-ray tube is a non-genuine X-ray tube.

### Claim 6

A determination method, using a computer, comprising:
detecting X-rays radiated from an X-ray tube in units of photons by a photon counting X-ray detector;
storing first energy spectrum information acquired by detecting X-rays at a first timing in a storage unit;
acquiring second energy spectrum information by detecting X-rays at a second timing after the first timing; and
determining a state of the X-ray tube on the basis of the first energy spectrum information and the second energy spectrum information.

### Claim 7

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program of causing a computer to:
detect X-rays radiated from an X-ray tube in units of photons by a photon counting X-ray detector;
store first energy spectrum information acquired by detecting X-rays at a first timing in a storage unit;
acquire second energy spectrum information by detecting X-rays at a second timing after the first timing; and
determine a state of the X-ray tube on the basis of the first energy spectrum information and the second energy spectrum information.