Multi-slice X-ray CT apparatus and method of controlling the same

A method of controlling a multi-slice X-ray CT apparatus comprising:

• an X-ray generator;
• a collimator for forming a slit having a width corresponding to a range of generated X-rays;
• an X-ray detector disposed facing said X-ray generator with a subject placed therebetween for detecting X-rays passing through said subject in a range defined by said slit in said collimator, said X-ray detector being comprised of a plurality of X-ray detector arrays in a direction of conveying said subject, not all of said X-ray detector arrays having the same width;
• and
• combining means for selectively adding a plurality of detected signals obtained by a plurality of X-ray detector arrays in said X-ray detector based on a control signal, and outputting signals in an output mode corresponding to said control signal, said method comprising:
• a step of receiving instructive information from an external operating console;
• a collimator regulating step for regulating the slid width in said conveying direction based on the received instructive information so that said collimator slit defines a specified range of impinging X-rays;
• and
• a step of supplying a control signal to said combining means based on the received instructive information;
• wherein
• the number of X-ray detector arrays constituting said X-ray detector is four, and the widths of the outer X-ray detector arrays in said conveying direction are larger than the widths of two center X-ray detector arrays in said conveying direction.

A multi-slice X-ray CT apparatus provided with an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector disposed facing each other with a subject placed therebetween, said X-ray detector having a plurality of detector arrays for detecting X-rays from said X-ray generator, said apparatus rotating said X-ray generator and said X-ray detector to reconstruct a plurality of X-ray tomographic images in a direction of conveying said subject, said apparatus comprising:

• a collimator for forming a slit defining a range of X-rays generated by said X-ray generator impinging upon said X-ray detector, said collimator comprising a pair of parallel plates and rotatable means for controlling the distance between said pair of parallel plates;
• and
• means for regulating the width of said slit corresponding to said direction of conveying the subject by causing said rotatable means to regulate the distance between said pair of parallel plates;
• wherein
• the widths of said X-ray detector arrays in said X-ray detector in said direction of conveying the subject are at least two different widths.

A method of controlling a multi-slice X-ray CT apparatus comprising:

• an X-ray generator;
• a collimator for forming a slit having a width corresponding to a range of generated X-rays, said collimator comprising a pair of parallel plates and rotatable means for controlling the distance between said pair of parallel plates;
• an X-ray detector disposed facing said X-ray-generator with a subject placed therebetween for detecting X-rays passing through said subject in a range defined by said slit in said collimator, said X-ray detector being comprised of a plurality of X-ray detector arrays in a direction of conveying said subject, there being at least two different widths of said X-ray detector arrays;
• and
• means for selectively adding a plurality of detected signals obtained by a plurality of X-ray detector arrays in said X-ray detector based on a control signal, and outputting signals in an output mode corresponding to said control signal, said method comprising the steps of:
• receiving instructive information from an external operating console;
• causing said rotatable means for controlling to regulate the distance between said pair of parallel plates to thereby regulate the slit width in said conveying direction based on the received instructive information so that said collimator slit defines a specified range of impinging X-rays;
• and
• supplying a control signal to said combining means based on said received instructive information.