CT Imaging Apparatus with One-Piece Curved X-ray Detector

Abstract

A novel in-line X-ray CT imaging apparatus is presented. The X-ray CT imaging apparatus comprises one or a plurality of X-ray sources, one or a plurality of one-piece curved X-ray detectors, a rotational gantry, a translational stage, a computer that is loaded with data acquisition system and CT imaging software. The one-piece curved detector is truly one entity with capability of forming a native curved geometry with pre-determined radius. The detector would have the same or similar electronics to that of a conventional rigid X-ray flat panel that includes a photon conversion phosphorus layer configured to generate light photons in response to radiation. Both X-ray source and detector are mounted on a rotation gantry. X-ray CT 3D image projection data can be acquired while the gantry is rotating and object on the stage is moving translational simultaneously. Using CT software, image reconstruction can be performed at the computer.

Claims

1. An X-ray CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved detector comprising: a X-ray source that can produce X-ray radiation; one or a plurality of one-piece curved X-ray detectors; a rotational gantry where both said X-ray source and said one-piece curved X-ray detector are mounted on; a translational stage on which an object to be examined is placed; one or a plurality of computer equipped with data acquisition hardware and software system; a means for performing correction processes to X-ray helical projection data; and a means for performing tomography image reconstruction from corrected X-ray helical projection data.

2. The X-ray CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved detector of claim 1, wherein said one-piece curved X-ray detector includes a plurality of detector pixel elements arranged in both longitudinal axial and tangential directions of said rotational gantry.

3. The X-ray CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved detector of claim 1, wherein said translational stage moves along longitude axial direction of said rotational gantry.

4. An X-ray CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved detector comprising: a plurality of X-ray sources that can produce X-ray radiation; a plurality of one-piece curved X-ray detectors; a rotational gantry where both said X-ray source and said one-piece curved X-ray detector are mounted on; a translational stage on which an object to be examined is placed; one or a plurality of computers equipped with data acquisition hardware and software system; a means for performing correction processes to X-ray helical projection data; and a means for performing tomography image reconstruction from corrected X-ray helical projection data.

5. A method of X-ray CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved detector, the method comprising: positioning an X-ray source on one side of rotational gantry; positioning a one-piece curved detector on another side of rotational gantry; positioning an object on a translational stage; rotating said rotational gantry using a motion control system; moving said translational stage along longitudinal axial direction of said gantry using a motion control system; acquiring X-ray helical projection data of said object using a computer while said rotational gantry is rotating, said translational stage is in motion, said X-ray source is emitting radiation and said one-piece curved detector is active; performing correction processes to X-ray helical projection data; and performing tomography image reconstruction from corrected X-ray helical projection data.

6. The method as in claim 5, wherein the computer is equipped with imaging data acquisition hardware and software system.

7. The method as in claim 5, wherein image data acquisition system can be performed using either wired or wireless connection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved X-ray detector.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows one set of one-piece curved X-ray detector.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows configuration of two sets of one-piece curved X-ray detectors that are positioned head-to-head.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows cross section of a CT imaging apparatus with one-piece curved X-ray detector.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows cross section of a CT imaging apparatus with multiple X-ray sources and multiple one-piece curved X-ray detectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing lower cost and easier assembly in X-ray in-line CT imaging apparatus.

[0051] An X-ray CT imaging apparatus has one or a plurality of sets of one-piece curved detectors arranged in a plural number of rows in a longitudinal axial direction, and moving object is to be also examined for movement in the longitudinal axial direction.

[0052] X-ray transmits through the object while X-ray source and the detector on the gantry are rotating. The detector generates signals in response to X-ray radiation beam. So a plural number of helical data projections are acquired.

[0053] The one-piece curved detector would have the similar electronics to that of a conventional rigid X-ray flat panel. It includes a photon conversion phosphorus layer configured to generate light photons in response to a radiation.

[0054] Both X-ray source and one-piece curved detector are mounted on a rotation gantry. X-ray 3D CT imaging can be achieved while the gantry is rotating and object is moving translational simultaneously.

[0055] Various other features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing lower cost and easier assembly in X-ray in-line multi-slice CT imaging apparatus.

[0057] The X-ray CT imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source 1, a one-piece curved X-ray detector 3, a rotational gantry 6, a translational stage 7 on which an object 8 is placed, a computer 9 loaded with data acquisition system and CT imaging software.

[0058] In this invention, one or a plurality of one-piece curved X-ray detectors 3 can be used to achieve low cost multi-slice CT imaging functions with much precise geometry.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, it shows a CT imaging apparatus using one X-ray source 1 and one set of one-piece curved X-ray detector 3. The X-ray source 1 and one-piece curved detector 3 can be easily mounted on a rotational gantry 6 with predetermined radius. Therefore, a multi-slice CT imaging apparatus can be easily built.

[0060] To construct, firstly, positioning an X-ray source 1 on one side of rotational gantry 6; secondly, positioning one-piece curved detector 3 on another side of rotational gantry 6; thirdly, positioning an object 8 on a translational stage 7; finally, connecting imaging data acquisition hardware and starting data acquisition software. There is a computer 9 that is pre-loaded with imaging data acquisition hardware and software system. The data acquisition can be with either wired connection or wireless connection.

[0061] To operate, firstly, rotating the rotational gantry 6 using a motion control system; secondly, moving said translational stage 7 along longitudinal axial direction of said gantry using a motion control system; thirdly, acquiring X-ray helical projection data of the object using the computer 9 while the rotational gantry 6 is rotating, the translational stage 7 is in motion, the X-ray source 1 is emitting X-ray beam 2 and the one-piece curved detector 3 is active; then, performing correction processes to X-ray helical projection data; and finally performing tomography image reconstruction from corrected X-ray helical projection data.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows one set of one-piece curved X-ray detector 3. The detector is manufactured into flat shape together with a layer of X-ray scintillator 4 and electronics board 5 mounted originally. The X-ray scintillator 4 is usually a GOS screen. The electronics board 5 includes function of detector pixel read-out and data transmission to PC. Because of reasonable flexibility of both detector material and GOS screen material, the whole detector 3 can be bent and configured as curved shape with pre-determined radius. But electronics board 5 on the side of the detector 3 has to be straight due to the fact that the board is rigid.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a configuration of two sets of one-piece curved X-ray detectors 3 that are positioned head-to-head. Sometimes one set of one-piece curved X-ray detector 3 is not enough due to the length limitation. Two sets of one-piece curved detectors 3 can be positioned head-to-head and work parallel. And they can cover a larger object 8.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows cross section of a CT imaging apparatus with one X-ray source 1 and one-piece curved X-ray detector 3. Modern fast computers 9 can easily take multiple data acquisition interfaces so that this kind of CT imaging apparatus can also be easily constructed and connected. X-ray beam 2 covers the object 8 and the one-piece curved detector 3.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a CT imaging apparatus with multiple X-ray sources 1 and multiple one-piece curved detectors 3. Multiple X-ray sources 1 and multiple one-piece X-ray detectors 3 mounted on the gantry 6 can work parallel while they are rotating together.

[0066] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention as described herein and as illustrated in the drawings.

[0067] The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.