Detector assemblies and methods for helical CT scanning
Inventors
Basu, Samit Kumar • Oh, Seungseok • Garzon, Pedro Andres
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10058293-B2
Publication Date
2018-08-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A helical CT scanner for imaging an object is provided. The helical CT scanner includes an X-ray emitter configured to emit X-ray beams towards the object, and a detector array positioned opposite the X-ray emitter, the detector array including a plurality of discrete detector blocks arranged in a two-dimensional grid, each detector block including a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one first gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a first direction, and wherein at least one second gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a second direction. The helical CT scanner further includes a processing device communicatively coupled to said detector array, said processing device configured to reconstruct an image of the object based on image data acquired using said detector array.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a helical CT imaging system in which an X-ray emitter emits X-ray beams toward an object as the object moves through the scanner in a z-direction. A detector array is positioned opposite the X-ray emitter and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the z-direction. The detector array comprises discrete detector blocks arranged in a two-dimensional grid.
The discrete detector blocks define gaps between adjacent blocks. At least one first gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a first direction corresponding to the z-direction, and at least one second gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a second direction. The detector-block architecture includes concrete gap geometry, including a centermost gap that is smaller than edge gaps, and gaps that are empty or filled.
Image reconstruction is performed by a processing device based on image data acquired using the detector array. The reconstruction may account for the gaps by generating interpolated image data for gap regions, or by reconstructing using acquired data alone. The system is described as improving throughput without increasing active detector elements, and the document places the imaging in a contraband-detection context.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a helical CT scanner, a corresponding imaging method, and a detector array. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on an X-ray emitter and a rotatable detector array for objects moving in a z-direction, and on detector blocks arranged in a two-dimensional grid with gaps defined in first and second directions, with reconstruction based on acquired image data.
Helical CT scanner with rotatable detector blocks and two-direction gaps
A helical CT scanner for imaging an object as the object moves through the scanner in a z-direction, comprising an X-ray emitter configured to emit X-ray beams toward the object; a detector array positioned opposite the X-ray emitter and rotatable about an axis parallel to the z-direction; the detector array comprising a plurality of discrete detector blocks arranged in a two-dimensional grid, each detector block comprising a plurality of pixels; at least one first gap defined between adjacent detector blocks in a first direction corresponding to the z-direction and at least one second gap defined between adjacent detector blocks in a second direction; and a processing device configured to reconstruct an image based on image data acquired using the detector array.
Imaging method with rotatable detector array having two-direction gaps and reconstruction
A method for imaging an object as the object moves through a gantry in a z-direction, comprising positioning the object between an X-ray emitter and a detector array of the gantry, the detector array rotatable about an axis parallel to the z-direction and including a plurality of discrete detector blocks arranged in a two-dimensional grid with each detector block including a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one first gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a first direction corresponding to the z-direction and wherein at least one second gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a second direction; acquiring image data from the detector array using a processing device; and reconstructing an image based on the acquired image data.
Detector array with discrete detector blocks on a substrate and two-direction gaps
A detector array for a helical CT scanner configured to image an object as the object moves through the helical CT scanner in a z-direction, the detector array rotatable about an axis parallel to the z-direction, the detector array comprising a plurality of discrete detector blocks arranged in a two-dimensional grid on a substrate, each detector block comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one first gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a first direction corresponding to the z-direction and wherein at least one second gap is defined between adjacent detector blocks in a second direction.
Overall, the independent claims require a helical CT scanner with an X-ray emitter and a detector array rotatable about an axis parallel to the z-direction, where the detector array uses discrete detector blocks in a two-dimensional grid with gaps defined in both a z-direction-related first direction and a second direction. The method claims add acquiring image data from that detector array and reconstructing an image based on the acquired image data, while the detector-array claim isolates the structural arrangement of blocks on a substrate with the first and second gaps.
Stated Advantages
Throughput improvement without increasing active detector elements.
Documented Applications
Contraband detection context.
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