Laminated ct collimator and method of making same

A CT collimator positioned proximate to a CT detector, the CT collimator comprising:

• a first radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture formed through the first radiation absorbent lamination aligned with a respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and an x-ray emission source;
• a second radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture formed through the second radiation absorbent lamination aligned with the respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and the x-ray emission source:
• and a spacer substantially transparent to x-rays positioned between the first and second radiation absorbent laminations;
• and wherein the spacer comprises one of a foam, a graphite sheet, an epoxy, a fiber, and a tube.

A CT collimator positioned proximate to a CT detector, the CT collimator comprising:

• a first radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture formed through the first radiation absorbent lamination aligned with a respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and an x-ray emission source;
• a second radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture formed through the second radiation absorbent lamination aligned with the respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and the x-ray emission source;
• a spacer substantially transparent to x-rays positioned between the first and second radiation absorbent laminations;
• and wherein the spacer is a sheet of material having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.

A method of fabricating a CT detector, the method comprising:

• providing a detector having a plurality of pixellated elements;
• coupling a multi-laminate collimator to the detector, the multi-laminate collimator comprising at least two layers of material substantially impermeable to radiation;
• positioning an insert between the at least two layers;
• aligning the collimator such that a plurality of x-ray passageways within the collimator are aligned between the plurality of pixellated elements and an x-ray emission source in a 1:1 correspondence;
• and
• wherein positioning comprises injecting an uncured foam into a space between the at least two layers.

A method of fabricating a CT detector, the method comprising:

• providing a detector having a plurality of pixellated elements;
• coupling a multi-laminate collimator to the detector, the multi-laminate collimator comprising at least two layers of material substantially impermeable to radiation;
• positioning an insert substantially transparent to x-rays between the at least two layers:
• aligning the collimator such that a plurality of x-ray passageways within the collimator are aligned between the plurality of pixellated elements and an x-ray emission source in a 1:1 correspondence;
• and
• wherein positioning comprises inserting a structural foam into a space between the at least two layers.

A method of fabricating a CT detector, the method comprising:

• providing a detector having a plurality of pixellated elements;
• coupling a multi-laminate collimator to the detector, the multi-laminate collimator comprising at least two layers of material substantially impermeable to radiation;
• positioning an insert substantially transparent to x-rays between the at least two layers:
• aligning the collimator such that a plurality of x-ray passageways within the collimator are aligned between the plurality of pixellated elements and an x-ray emission source in a 1:1 correspondence;
• and
• wherein positioning comprises inserting one of a graphite sheet, an epoxy, a fiber, and a tube into a space between the at least two layers.

A CT system comprising:

• a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned;
• a high frequency electromagnetic energy projection source configured to project a high frequency electromagnetic energy beam toward the object;
• a detector array having a plurality of pixellated cells wherein each cell is configured to detect high frequency electromagnetic energy passing through the object;
• a radiation filter configured to absorb high frequency electromagnetic energy directed toward a space between adjacent pixellated cells, wherein the radiation filter comprises a pair of perforated screens separated at least by a spacer material substantially transparent to x-rays;
• a photodiode array optically coupled to the scintillator array and comprising a plurality of photodiodes configured to detect light output from a corresponding scintillator cell;
• a data acquisition system (DAS) connected to the photodiode array and configured to receive the photodiode outputs;
• an image reconstructor connected to the DAS and configured to reconstruct an image of the object from the photodiode outputs received by the DAS;
• and
• wherein the spacer is one of a foam, a graphite sheet, an epoxy, a fiber, and a tube.