Abstract:
A radiographic apparatus (10) includes an x-ray tube (16), an off-focal radiation collimator (20), a shutter (22), and a primary beam defining collimator (24) between the x-ray tube and patient receiving region (14). The off-focal collimator is mounted within a collar (48) which surrounds an x-ray port (36) of the x-ray tube. The tube port is sealed from the atmosphere by an aluminum window (46). A plate (62) of a radiation blocking material is rotatably mounted by a bearing (70) within the collar closely adjacent the aluminum window. By rotating the moveable plate, aperture or radiation passing slots or portions (62, 64) of different sizes are selectively brought into alignment between a focal spot (34) of the x-ray tube and a radiation passing region or slot (52) of a stationary plate (50) at the distal end of the collar. The aligned slots block the passage of off-focal radiation. Moreover, rotating slots of different sizes into alignment changes the size or angle of the x-ray fan beam.
Abstract:
An improved computed tomography radiation detector is disclosed. One embodiment includes first and second layers of crystalline scintilation material mutually aligned in a path of x-rays to be detected, to receive the x-rays in sequence. The layer upstream in the x-ray path comprises a scintillation material having a relatively high efficiency for converting x-ray energy to light. The downstream one of the layers comprises a scintillation material having a relatively lower efficiency for x-ray/light conversion. A photodiode is positioned to view both scintillation layers simultaneously and to respond to scintillations in either or both. Scintillation crystal material surfaces can be coated with reflective material to enhance the effects of their scintillations. The photodiode thus combines x-ray indicating scintillations from both crystals while in analog form. The detector exhibits enhanced response to lower energy x-rays. Another embodiment comprises a photodiode and an optically coupled scintillation crystal, with the photodiode upstream in the x-ray beam path relative to the crystal.
Abstract:
A xenon concentration phantom (A) is mounted in a CT scanner (B). A xenon/oxygen breathing gas mixture from a breathing gas supply system is (C) circulated through an analysis chamber (12) of the phantom before a human scan is commenced. The CT scanner measures the amount of radiation absorption attributable to the gas in the analysis chamber, which absorption varies in proportion to the concentration of xenon gas. The measured radiation absorption is converted into a precise measurement or indication of the xenon concentration of the breathing gas. The precise xenon concentration measurement may be utilized to calibrate xenon gas detectors (80, 100) in the breathing gas supply system or to calibrate xenon concentration dependent diagnostic data generated during a subsequent patient scan while the patient is breathing the breathing gas.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for a computed tomography patient localization scan. A source of radiation that orbits a patient during a normal computed tomography scan is fixed relative an array of radiation detectors. The patient is then moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the radiating source and array to obtain a first shadowgraph data set. The source is orbited a small amount and the patient is again moved relative the source and detector array to obtain a second shadowgraph set of data. The two sets of data are then interleaved to obtain a shadowgraph image having higher resolution than either the first or second shadowgraph.
Abstract:
A radiation detector module (22) particularly well suited for use in computed tomography (CT) applications includes a scintillator (200), a photodetector array (202), and signal processing electronics (205). The photodetector array (202) includes a semiconductor substrate (208) having a plurality of photodetectors and metalization (210) fabricated on non-illuminated side of the substrate (208). The metalization routes electrical signals between the photodetectors and the signal processing electronics (205) and between the signal processing electronics (205) and an electrical connector (209).
Abstract:
A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector (120) includes a photodiode array (122) with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array (122) is part of the photo detector (120). A scintillator array (126) includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector (120) also includes readout electronics (124), which are also part of the photo detector (120). Electrical traces (512) interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics (124).
Abstract:
A radiation detector module includes a scintillator (62, 62′, 162, 262) arranged to receive penetrating radiation of a computed tomography apparatus (10). The scintillator produces optical radiation responsive to the penetrating radiation. A detector array (66, 66′, 166, 266) is arranged to convert the optical radiation into electric signals. Electronics (72, 72′, 172, 272) are arranged on a side of the detector array opposite from the scintillator in a path of the penetrating radiation. A radiation shield (86, 86′, 100, 100′, 100″, 186, 210, 210′, 286, 286′) is disposed between the detector array and the electronics to absorb the penetrating radiation that passes through the scintillator. The radiation shield includes openings (90, 90′) that communicate between the detector array and the electronics. Electrical feedthroughs (88, 88′, 102, 102′, 102″, 188, 212, 212′, 288, 288′) pass through the radiation shield openings and electrically connect the detector array and the electronics.
Abstract:
A diagnostic imaging system includes an x-ray source (16), which is rotated around an examination region (20). A subject, disposed on a couch (30), is translated longitudinally through the examination region (20). The x-ray source (16) is pulsed at selected angular location(s), e.g. one or both of 6 and 12 o'clock, to transmit x rays through the subject as it is being translated through the examination region (20). The transmitted radiation is being detected by a radiation detector (22) and is reconstructed by an image processor (52) into a two-dimensional projection pilot scan image. A subject contour is calculated and is used along with the radiation attenuation data by a dose calculator (60) to determine the minimum radiation dose required to produce a constant quality image.
Abstract:
An x-ray radiation stabilization system is provided including an x-ray tube (20) which emits x-ray radiation (22). The x-ray tube (20) has an anode (52), a cathode (50), and a vacuum envelope (54) which houses the anode (52) and the cathode (50). A high-voltage generator (40) is connected to the x-ray tube (20). It supplies a high-voltage electric potential between the cathode (50) and anode (52) such that an electron beam flows therebetween. The electron beam strikes the anode (52) producing the x-ray radiation (22). A reference radiation detector (60) samples a representative portion of the x-ray radiation (22) emitted by the x-ray tube (20) and generates an error signal in response to an intensity of the sampled x-ray radiation (22). A feedback circuit (80) is connected between the reference radiation detector (60) and the high-voltage generator (40). The feedback circuit (80) processes the error signal and in response thereto directs the high-voltage generator (40) to adjust the high-voltage electric potential supplied to the x-ray tube (20) so that in the x-ray radiation (22) ripple having a predetermined frequency range is substantially canceled.
Abstract:
A toroidal x-ray tube (I) is supported and selectively positioned by a gantry (II). The x-ray tube includes a toroidal housing (A) in which a rotor (20) is rotatably mounted. One or more cathodes (C) are mounted on the rotor for generating an electron beam which strikes an anode (B) to generate a beam of x-rays which pass through a patient aperture (62) to strike a detector (60). The x-ray tube includes pre-collimators (70, 74) having slots (72, 76) for passage of the x-ray subsequent to generation thereof and prior to being collimated by the collimator (90). A ring collimator (90) collimates an x-rays formed into a fan shaped beam. The collimator (90) includes a first ring (92) and a second ring (94) which are concentric. The distance between the first and second rings (92, 94) is adjustable to adjust the slice thickness of the final image. The x-ray tube provides improved final images in that reduction of off-focal radiation occurs due to the utilization of pre-collimators and the collimation of x-rays is flexible due to adjustability of slice thickness.