X-ray computed tomography apparatus, radiation detector, and method of manufacturing radiation detector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9320476-B2
Application number	US-201113239843-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 22, 2011
Priority date	Sep 22, 2010
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray detector and a collimator unit. The X-ray detector detects X-rays that have passed through a subject. The collimator unit eliminates scattered radiation from X-rays that are incident on the X-ray detector. The collimator unit includes a plurality of collimator modules, a supporter, and a fixing unit. The plurality of collimator modules each includes a plurality of first collimator plates arranged in a grid along a channel direction and a slice direction that are orthogonal to each other. The supporter supports the collimator modules such that the collimator modules are aligned in a plurality of straight lines along the channel direction and in a plurality of straight lines along the slice direction. The fixing unit is provided to the supporter and fixes positions of the collimator modules in the channel direction and the slice direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising:
an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays;
an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays that have passed through a subject; and
a collimator unit provided above the X-ray detector,
wherein the collimator unit includes:
a plurality of collimator modules each configured to include a plurality of first collimator plates arranged in a grid along a channel direction and a slice direction that are orthogonal to each other, the collimator modules each including therein an outer frame on at least one side of each collimator module and with the first collimator plates in a state that ends thereof protrude from at least another one side of each module; and
a collimator support plate configured to fix the collimator modules respectively in a state of being aligned along the channel direction and the slice direction and in a state that the protruded ends of the first collimator plates of each collimator module contact with the outer frame of an adjacent collimator module.

2. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a supporter formed to have a shape of a plate that curves along a sphere about a focal point of the X-rays, and configured to support the collimator modules such that the collimator modules are aligned on a surface of the supporter on a side to which the X-rays are applied, wherein
the fixing unit includes a plurality of engaging portions provided on the surface of the supporter on which the collimator modules are arranged and the engaging portions engage respectively with engaged portions that are provided to the collimator modules and thus the positions of the collimator modules are fixed.

3. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
each of the engaging portions include at least two recesses formed on the surface of the supporter, and
each of the engaged portions includes at least two protrusions formed on a corresponding collimator module and engages with the recesses when the corresponding collimator modules is placed on the supporter.

4. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
each of the engaging portions is a cross-shaped groove formed on the surface of the supporter, and
each of the engaged portions is a cross-shaped protrusion formed on a corresponding collimator module and engages with the groove when the corresponding collimator modules is placed on the supporter.

5. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a supporter formed to have a shape of a plate that curves along a sphere about a focal point of the X-rays, and configured to support the collimator modules such that the collimator modules are aligned on a surface of the supporter on a side to which the X-rays are applied, wherein
the X-ray detector is divided into an equal number of a plurality of blocks to that of the collimator modules and the blocks are attached respectively to the collimator modules,
the supporter is configured to support, via the blocks of the X-ray detector, the collimator modules, and
the collimator support plate includes a plurality of engaging portions provided on the surface of the supporter on which the collimator modules and the blocks of the X-ray detector are arranged and the engaging portions engage respectively with engaged portions provided to the blocks of the X-ray detector and thus the positions of the collimator modules are fixed.

6. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a supporter formed to have a shape of a rectangle and depth in a direction in which the X-rays are applied and the supporter is configured to support the collimator modules such that the collimator modules are aligned within the rectangle.

7. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first collimator plates of the collimator modules are arranged so as to be orthogonal to one another inside with respect to ends of the first collimator plates.

8. A radiation detector comprising:
a detector configured to detect radiation that has passed through a subject; and
a collimator unit provided above a radiation generator,
wherein the collimator unit includes:
a plurality of collimator modules each configured to include a plurality of first collimator plates arranged in a grid along a channel direction and a slice direction that are orthogonal to each other, the collimator modules each including therein an outer frame on at least one side of each collimator module and with the first collimator plates in a state that ends thereof protrude from at least another one side of each module; and
a collimator support plate configured to fix the collimator modules respectively in a state of being aligned along the channel direction and the slice direction and in a state that the protruded ends of the first collimator plates of each collimator module contact with the outer frame of an adjacent collimator module.

9. A method of manufacturing a radiation detector including a detector configured to detect radiation and a collimator unit provided above a radiation generator, the method comprising:
forming a plurality of collimator modules each by arranging a plurality of first collimator plates in a grid along a channel direction and a slice direction that are orthogonal to each other, the collimator modules each including therein an outer frame on at least one side of each collimator module and with the first collimator plates in a state that ends thereof protrude from at least another one side of each module; and
forming the collimator unit by fixing, by using a collimator support plate, the collimator modules respectively in a state of being aligned along the channel direction and the slice direction and in a state that the protruded ends of the first collimator plates of each collimator module contact with the outer frame of an adjacent collimator module.

10. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising:
a X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays;
an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays that have passed through a subject; and
a collimator unit provided above the X-ray detector,
wherein the collimator unit includes:
a plurality of collimator modules each configured to include a plurality of first collimator plates arranged in a grid along a channel direction and a slice direction that are orthogonal to each other, the collimator modules including therein with an outer frame on at least one side of each collimator module and with the first collimator plates in a state that ends thereof protrude from at least another one side of each module;
a supporter provided between the X-ray detector and the plurality of the collimator modules, and configured to support the plurality of the collimator modules; and
a collimator support plate configured to fix the collimator modules respectively in a state of being aligned along the channel direction and the slice direction on the supporter and in a state that the protruded ends of the first collimator plates of each collimator module contact with the outer frame of an adjacent collimator module.

Assignees

• Iso Machiko
• Yaoi Yoshiaki
• Matsuda Keiji
• Nambu Shuya
• Kanemaru Takashi
• Taniguchi Akihiko
• Toshiba Kk
• Toshiba Medical Sys Corp

Inventors

• Iso Machiko
• Yaoi Yoshiaki
• Matsuda Keiji
• Nambu Shuya
• Kanemaru Takashi
• Taniguchi Akihiko

Classifications

• G21K1/025

  using multiple collimators, e.g. Bucky screens; other devices for eliminating undesired or dispersed radiation · CPC title

• A61B6/4291

  the detector being combined with a grid or grating · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• A61B6/03 Primary

  Computed tomography [CT] · CPC title

• G21K2207/00

  Particular details of imaging devices or methods using ionizing electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays or gamma rays · CPC title