Abstract:
Tomosynthesis system with a rotating anode X-ray tube enabling a circular scan trajectory, wherein the X-raytube 1 may be equipped witha large number ofcathodes (21, 22) distributed around an anode. This allows to generate X-rays (41, 42) at focal spot positions (11, 12), for example evenly distributed on a for example circular line (14) on the surface (15) of an anode (10). The object (61) may be located on the (10) axis of rotation (6) of the anode at some distance to the source. For an examination, the object (61) may be exposed to X-raybeams (41, 42) generated successively on all focal spot positions (11, 12), wherein no movement of the X-raytube 1 isnecessary. The transmitted X-rayintensities may be measured by a flat panel detector (50) to achieve a reconstructed three-dimensional image data.
Abstract:
To scan an object with differently shaped cone beams (112, 122), the present invention provides a CT scanner with a moveable X-ray tube (the meaning of "move the x-ray tube among a plurality of predefined positions" also covers the situation that the anode disk is moved among a plurality of corresponding positions, while the shell of the x-ray tube does not move). The X-ray tube is not only moveable along the axial direction, but also along the radial direction of the CT scanner gantry. The scanner comprises an X-ray tube, which X-ray tube further comprises: an anode disk (100), comprising a plurality of focal tracks (110, 120) each focal track being cone-shaped with an anode angle (114, 124) different from the anode angle(s) of the other focal track(s); and a first cathode (210), configured to emanate an electron beam targeting at least one of the plurality of focal tracks. When different focal tracks are bombarded by electron beams, different X-ray beams (112, 122) with differently shaped cone beams are generated.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an X-rayimaging system (100) like a CT-scanner. In a preferred embodiment of the system, a cylindrical X-raydetector(130) is sandwiched between two cylindrical X-raysources (110, 120) or vice versa. The X-raysources preferably comprise cathodes with carbon nanotubes and a multitude of focal spots(111) that can selectively be controlled. The cylinder-diameters of the X-raysource and the X-raydetector may be the same or, preferably, be different. Moreover, the X-raysource and the X-ray detector preferably extend circumferentially over less than the full angle of 360°.
Abstract:
The application of CSCT to baggage inspection necessitates a large field of view, resulting in a large gantry that has to sustain large centrifugal forces. Accordingly, various CSCT geometries are described which enable smaller gantry sizes. In particular, a CSCT scanner comprising a detector unit that is not focus-centred is described.
Abstract:
The application of CSCT to baggage inspection necessitates a large field of view, resulting in a large gantry that has to sustain large centrifugal forces. Accordingly, various CSCT geometries are described which enable smaller gantry sizes. In particular, a CSCT scanner comprising a detector unit that is not focus-centred is described.
Abstract:
A computed tomography apparatus (10) includes spaced radiation sources (82, 84), such as anodes, which each propagate a cone -beam of radiation (40, 50) into an examination region (14). A detector (22) detects radiation which has passed through the examination region. An attenuation system (55) interposed between the radiation sources and the examination region for cone-angle dependent filtering of the cone beams. The attenuation system allows rays which contribute little to a reconstructed image to be attenuated more than rays which contribute more.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an X-rayimaging system (100) like a CT-scanner. In a preferred embodiment of the system, a cylindrical X-raydetector(130) is sandwiched between two cylindrical X-raysources (110, 120) or vice versa. The X-raysources preferably comprise cathodes with carbon nanotubes and a multitude of focal spots(111) that can selectively be controlled. The cylinder-diameters of the X-raysource and the X-raydetector may be the same or, preferably, be different. Moreover, the X-raysource and the X-ray detector preferably extend circumferentially over less than the full angle of 360°.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a beam filter (10) that can particularly be used in spectral CT-applications for producing a desired intensity profile of a radiation beam without changing its spectral composition. In a preferred embodiment, the beam filter (10) comprises a stack of absorbing sheets (111) that are separated by wedge-shaped spaces (112) and focused to a radiation source (1). Furthermore, the absorbing sheets have a varying width in direct ion of the radiation. Different fractions of the radiation source (1) area are therefore masked by the beam filter (10) at different points (A, B) on a detector area (2). The absorbing sheets preferably comprise a material that is highly absorbing for the radiation to be filtered.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for generating X-rays (18) comprising an electron source (3) for emitting electrons accommodated in a vacuum space (2), a liquid metal circuit including a liquid metal for emitting X-rays as a result of the incidence of electrons and a pumping means (11) for causing a flow of the liquid metal through a constriction (7) where the electrons emitted by the electron source (3) impinge upon the liquid metal, and a radiation window (12) bounding said constriction (7), which is transparent to electrons and X-rays and separates the constriction (7) from the vacuum space (2). To provide a device for generating X-rays in which a cross-sectional area of the constriction substantially corresponds to an intended, desired cross-sectional area due to a self-regulating process without the need for external or additional components or electronics, it is proposed that said constriction (7) being bounded by a compensation window (13) opposite of said radiation window (12), which separates the constriction (7) from a pressure chamber (14) containing liquid metal provided by said liquid metal circuit via a connection (15), and which, during operation, has a profile (p') as a result of a deformation caused by a pressure in the pressure chamber (14) different from the pressure in the constriction (7) which substantially matches a profile (p) which the radiation window (12) has, during operation, as a result of a deformation of the radiation window (12) caused by a pressure of the liquid metal in the constriction (7).
Abstract:
A medical imaging system includes a generally stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (106), rotatably supported by the generally stationary gantry (102), that rotates about a longitudinal axis around an examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a radiation source (112) that emits a radiation beam that traverses the examination region. The radiation source (112) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to translate in a direction of the longitudinal axis with respect to the rotating gantry (106) while scanning a subject in the examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a detector array (120) that detects the radiation beam that traverses the examination region and generates a signal indicative thereof. The detector array (120) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to move in coordination with the radiation source (112) while scanning the subject in the examination region.