Multiple-layered energy-integrating detector in a hybrid computed tomography scanner

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016209337-A1
Application number	US-201514601868-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 21, 2015
Priority date	Jan 21, 2015
Publication date	Jul 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A CT scanner apparatus includes an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors. Each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of stacked scintillators and a photosensor adjacent to a sidewall of the stacked scintillators in a side-readout configuration.

First claim

1 . A computed tomography (CT) scanner apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus; a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object; and a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors, wherein each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of stacked scintillators and a photosensor circuit adjacent to a sidewall of the stacked scintillators in a side-readout configuration.

2 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the photosensor circuit includes a plurality of interconnected photosensors, one for each of the plurality of stacked scintillators.

3 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the photosensor circuit includes a silicon photomultiplier.

4 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the X-ray source and the first X-ray detector are configured to rotate together about the object.

5 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a material that is different from the other scintillators.

6 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a same material.

7 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators has a material thickness that is different from other scintillators of the plurality of scintillators.

8 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second X-ray detectors are mounted on the gantry.

9 . A computed tomography (CT) scanner apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus; a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object; and a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors, wherein each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of alternating scintillators and photosensors in a layer-readout configuration.

10 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the X-ray source and the first X-ray detector are configured to rotate together about the object.

11 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a material that is different from other scintillators of the plurality of scintillators.

12 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a same material.

13 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators has a material thickness that is different from other scintillators of the plurality of scintillators.

14 . The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second X-ray detectors are mounted on the gantry.

Assignees

• Toshiba Kk
• Toshiba Medical Sys Corp

Inventors

• Wang Gin Chung
• Gagnon Daniel
• Silver Michael
• Zou Yu

Classifications

• G01T1/2985

  In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); (using external radiation sources A61B6/02) · CPC title

• G01N23/046 Primary

  using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT] · CPC title

• G01T1/2964

  Scanners (using scintigraphy G01T1/166) · CPC title

• G01T1/2008

  using a combination of different types of scintillation detectors, e.g. phoswich · CPC title

• G01N2223/5055

  scintillation crystal coupled to PMT · CPC title