Variable resolution x-ray CT detector with multi-axis tilt

An apparatus for generating x-ray images of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

• an x-ray radiation source for directing x-ray radiation along a radiation axis toward the subject, where the radiation axis substantially coincides with an X-axis of an XYZ coordinate system;
• a rectangular detector array for receiving the x-ray radiation as altered by the subject, the detector array comprising a plurality of detector cells for receiving and detecting the x-ray radiation at a spatial resolution which is dependent at least in part on cell-to-cell spacing between detector cells in the array and the orientation of the array with respect to the X-axis and Z-axis of the XYZ coordinate system,
• wherein the detector array is operable to be positioned at a tilt angle with respect to the Z-axis of the XYZ coordinate system, where the tilt angle defines an angular relationship between the Z-axis and a pivot axis of the detector array, where the pivot axis passes through an origin of the XYZ coordinate system, and
• wherein the detector array is operable to be pivoted about the pivot axis and positioned at a pivot angle with respect to the X-axis of the XYZ coordinate system, where the pivot angle defines an angular relationship between the detector array and the X-axis;
• wherein the spatial image resolution of the detector array in a direction parallel to the Y-axis is expressed as:
• ΔY3=ΔY1×sin ψ×cos α, and
• wherein the spatial image resolution of the detector array in a direction parallel to the Z-axis is expressed as:
• ΔZ3=ΔZ1×cos α,
• where
• ΔY3 is the spatial image resolution of the detector array in a direction parallel to the Y-axis,
• ΔZ3 is the spatial image resolution of the detector array in a direction parallel to the Z-axis,
• ψ is the pivot angle which ranges from about zero degrees to about ninety degrees,
• α is the tilt angle which ranges from about zero degrees to about forty-five degrees,
• ΔY1 is a spacing between centers of the detector cells in a direction parallel to the Y-axis for a condition wherein ψ equals ninety degrees and α equals zero degrees, and
• ΔZ1 is a spacing between centers of the detector cells in a direction parallel to the Z-axis for a condition wherein ψ equals ninety degrees and α equals zero degrees;
• means for processing signals generated by the detector cells of the detector array to generate a human-perceivable image of the subject;
• and
• means for rotating the subject about a scan axis as the detector array and x-ray radiation source remain stationary, wherein the subject is disposed between the x-ray radiation source and the detector array at a location on or adjacent the scan axis, and wherein the scan axis is substantially parallel to the Z-axis.