Magnetic field actuation of detectors in a computed tomography scanner

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9724057-B2
Application number	US-201514788238-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2015
Priority date	Jun 30, 2015
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

Abstract

A CT scanner apparatus includes an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus and configured to emit X-rays, and at least one magnetic field gradient circuit. The at least one magnetic field gradient circuit and the X-ray source rotate together. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a CT detector mounted on the gantry in fixed orbital opposition to the X-ray source. The CT detector is configured to detect the X-rays, wherein the CT detector and the X-ray source are configured to rotate along a first orbital path. The CT scanner apparatus also includes an array of fixed PCD assemblies arranged in a ring inside the first orbital path. Each PCD assembly is configured to rotatably actuate about a gantry support from a first position to a second position to reduce blockage of emitted X-rays when the magnetic field gradient circuit rotates within a predetermined distance of the PCD assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A computed tomography (CT) scanner apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus and configured to emit X-rays;
at least one magnetic field gradient circuit, wherein the at least one magnetic field gradient circuit and the X-ray source rotate together;
a CT detector mounted on the gantry in fixed orbital opposition to the X-ray source, the CT detector configured to detect the X-rays, wherein the CT detector and the X-ray source are configured to rotate along a first orbital path; and
an array of fixed photon-counting detector (PCD) assemblies arranged on a fixed circular component in a ring inside the first orbital path, wherein each PCD assembly is fixed at a predetermined location to the circular component and is configured to rotatably actuate about the circular component from a first position to a second position to reduce blockage of emitted X-rays when the magnetic field gradient circuit rotates within a predetermined distance of the PCD assembly.

2. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the PCD assemblies includes an interposer assembly module (IAM).

3. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each of the IAMB directly faces the first orbital path of the X-ray source.

4. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each IAM includes a paramagnetic material located near an end of the corresponding PCD assembly.

5. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the paramagnetic material end of each PCD assembly is configured to rotate towards the magnetic field gradient circuit when the magnetic field gradient circuit orbits within the predetermined distance.

6. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the paramagnetic material comprises a magnet.

7. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each PCD assembly includes a spring mechanism to rotatably actuate the PCD assembly.

8. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the spring mechanism is configured to return each PCD assembly to the first position when the magnetic field gradient circuit is no longer within the predetermined distance.

Assignees

• Toshiba Medical Sys Corp

Inventors

• Zhang Yuexing
• KVIEN Les
• Roberts Barry

Classifications

• A61B6/4266

  characterised by using a plurality of detector units (A61B6/4014 takes precedence) · CPC title

• 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

• A61B6/447

  the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to counterpoise or springs · CPC title

• A61B6/035

  Mechanical aspects of CT · CPC title

• A61B6/4241

  using energy resolving detectors, e.g. photon counting · CPC title