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US 2009/0213994 A1Published application
Computed Tomography Systems and Related Methods Involving Forward Collimation
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsRodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
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Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) systems and related methods involving forward collimation are provided are provided. In this regard, a representative method involving forward collimation of X-rays includes: emitting X-rays from a housing in which an X-ray source is mounted; collimating the X-rays downstream of the housing; and directing the collimated X-rays at a target.
Claims15
A computed tomography system comprising:
- a housing defining an interior, which housing includes an X-ray source located within the interior;
- a forward collimator positioned downstream of the housing, the forward collimator being formed of X-ray absorbing material with channels formed therethrough, the channels being aligned with the X-ray source;
- and
- an array of X-ray detectors located downstream of the forward collimator and operative to output signals corresponding to an amount of X-rays detected;
- wherein each channel of the forward collimator is aligned on a one-to-one basis with one of the X-ray detectors such that a portion of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray source are directed through the channels and are incident upon an aligned X-ray detector.
2 more elements
2-3. (canceled)
A method involving forward collimation of X-rays comprising:
- providing an X-ray system having an X-ray source, a forward collimator formed of X-ray absorbing material with channels formed there through, and an array of X-ray detectors operative to output signals corresponding to an amount of X-rays detected, wherein the collimator channels are aligned with the X-ray source, and each of which channels are aligned on a one-to-one basis with one of the X-ray detectors;
- emitting X-rays from a housing in which an X-ray source is mounted;
- collimating the X-rays downstream of the housing using the collimator channels aligned with the X-ray detectors;
- directing the collimated X-rays at a target;
- and
- detecting the X-rays passing through the aligned collimator channels and the target.
3 more elements
13-17. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.