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US 6,185,271 B2Granted
Helical computed tomography with feedback scan control
OwnerRichard Estyn Kinsingerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer tomography apparatus for imaging an object includes a computer coupled to a data acquisition system, a carrier that traverses the object through an imaging volume, and a radiation source. In one embodiment, the computer is configured to update scan parameters based upon data received from a first subset of a detector surface. In a second embodiment, the computer is configured to reverse carrier direction and repeat the traversing of the object through the imaging volume with updated scan parameters based upon data received from the first traversing of the object through the imaging volume.
Claims37
A computed tomography apparatus comprising:
- a radiation detector having a first edge and a second edge in opposed relationship to the first edge, the radiation detector including a first surface region and a second surface region, each of the first and second surface regions forming a subset of the radiation detector, the first surface region being located more proximate to the first edge than the second surface region;
- a radiation source in spaced-apart and opposed relationship to the radiation detector, the radiation source emitting radiation upon the radiation detector such that an imaging volume is defined between the radiation source and the radiation detector;
- a carrier which is capable of supporting an object to be imaged, the carrier and the imaging volume being translatable relative to each other such that the object traverses the imaging volume in the direction from the first edge of the radiation detector to the second edge of the radiation detector;
- a data acquisition system coupled to the radiation detector to acquire projection data from the first and the second surface regions of the radiation detector relative to the object traversing the imaging volume;
- and
- a computer coupled to the data acquisition system, the carrier, and the radiation source, the computer receiving projection data from the data acquisition system and being configured to update scan parameters based upon data received from the first surface region.
3 more elements
A computed tomography apparatus comprising:
- a radiation detector having a first edge and a second edge in opposed relationship to the first edge, the radiation detector including a first surface region and a second surface region, each of the first and second surface regions forming a subset of the radiation detector, the first surface region being located more proximate to the first edge than the second surface region;
- an x-ray tube in spaced-apart and opposed relationship to the radiation detector, the x-ray tube emitting x-rays upon the radiation detector;
- a carrier which is capable of supporting an object to be imaged, the carrier and the imaging volume being translatable relative to each other such that the object traverses the imaging volume in the direction from the first edge of the radiation detector to the second edge of the radiation detector;
- a gantry upon which the x-ray tube is rotatably mounted such that an imaging volume is defined within a circumference of a bore defined by rotation of the x-ray tube and the carrier translating axially through the bore;
- a data acquisition system coupled to the radiation detector to acquire projection data from the first and the second surface regions of the radiation detector relative to the object traversing the imaging volume;
- and
- a computer coupled to the data acquisition system, the carrier, the gantry, and the radiation source, the computer receiving projection data from the data acquisition system and being configured to update scan parameters based upon data received from the first surface region.
4 more elements
A method for scanning an object by helical scan operation of a computed tomography apparatus having a multiple-row detector array, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting scan parameters for start of a helical scan including direction of motion of the object through an imaging volume;
- designating a leading row of the detector array based on which detector elements will be first exposed to radiation traversing a part of the object as it enters the imaging volume;
- processing projection data from the leading row of the detector array to test for patterns of signal changes as the scan is progressing;
- and
- updating the scan parameters if the evolving patterns of signal change are found to meet a predetermined criterion.
2 more elements
An image created by helical scan operation of a computed tomography apparatus having a multiple-row detector array according to the following steps:
- selecting scan parameters for start of a helical scan including direction of motion of the object through an imaging volume;
- designating a leading row of the detector array based on which detector elements will be first exposed to radiation traversing a part of the object as it enters the imaging volume;
- processing projection data from the leading row of the detector array to test for patterns of signal changes as the scan is progressing;
- and
- updating the scan parameters if the evolving patterns of signal change are found to meet a predetermined criterion.
2 more elements
A computed tomography apparatus comprising:
- a radiation detector;
- a radiation source in spaced-apart and opposed relationship to the radiation detector, the radiation source emitting radiation upon the radiation detector such that an imaging volume is defined between the radiation source and the radiation detector;
- a carrier which is capable of supporting an object to be imaged, the carrier and the imaging volume being translatable relative to each other such that the object traverses the imaging volume during a tomographic imaging scan of the object;
- a data acquisition system coupled to the radiation detector to acquire projection data from the radiation detector relative to the object traversing the imaging volume;
- and
- a computer coupled to the data acquisition system, the carrier, and the radiation source, the computer receiving projection data from the data acquisition system during a tomographic imaging scan and being configured to process this data and based on the results of the processing continue the tomographic imaging scan or repeat the tomographic imaging scan of at least a portion of the object with updated scan parameters.
3 more elements
A method for scanning an object by helical scan operation of a computed tomography apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting scan parameters for start of the helical scan;
- moving the object through an imaging volume;
- processing projection data from a row of a detector to test for patterns of signal changes as the scan is progressing;
- and
- stopping the helical scan if the evolving patterns of signal change are found to meet a predetermined criterion.
2 more elements
An image created by helical scan operation of a computed tomography apparatus according to the following steps:
- selecting scan parameters for start of the helical scan;
- moving the object through an imaging volume;
- processing the projection data from a row of a detector to test for patterns of signal changes as the scan is progressing;
- and
- stopping the helical scan if the evolving patterns of signal change are found to meet a predetermined criterion.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.