Multiple source CT scanner
A CT scanner includes a plurality of cone-beam x-ray sources offset along a CT axis. A detector is positioned opposite the x-ray sources. The x-ray sources and detector are rotatable about the CT axis. The x-ray sources direct x-rays through the patient that are received by the detector at a plurality of rotational positions, thereby generating projections from the plurality of x-ray sources that are used to construct the three-dimensional CT image of the patient.
1 . A CT scanner comprising:
a detector adjacent a CT axis;
a first x-ray source rotatable about the CT axis, the first x-ray source aligned with the detector, such that x-rays from the first x-ray source are received by the detector; and
a second x-ray source axially spaced from the first x-ray source, the second x-ray source aligned with the detector such that x-rays from the second x-ray source are received by the detector.
2 . The CT scanner of claim 1 further including a controller programmed to activate the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source alternately between the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source.
3 . The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the detector is rotatable about the CT axis.
4 . The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the second x-ray source is rotatable about the CT axis.
5 . The CT scanner of claim 4 wherein the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source are cone-beam x-ray sources.
6 . The CT scanner of claim 5 wherein the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source are arranged such that cone-beam x-rays from the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source at least partially overlap on the detector.
7 . A CT scanner comprising:
at least one detector;
a first cone-beam x-ray source, the first x-ray source aligned with the at least one detector, such that x-rays from the first x-ray source are received by the at least one detector; and
a second cone-beam x-ray source spaced from the first x-ray source, the second x-ray source aligned with the at least one detector such that x-rays from the second x-ray source are received by the at least one detector, wherein the first x-ray source, the second x-ray source and the at least one detector are rotatable about an x-axis.
8 . The CT scanner of claim 7 further including a controller programmed to alternatingly activate the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source.
9 . The CT scanner of claim 8 wherein cone-beam x-rays from the first x-ray source and the second x-ray source are directed at areas that at least partially overlap on the at least one detector.
10 . A method for generating a CT image including the steps of:
a) directing first cone-beam x-rays at a patient from each of a plurality of first locations angularly spaced about an x-axis; and
b) directing second cone-beam x-rays at the patient from each of a plurality of angularly spaced second locations;
wherein the second cone-beam x-rays are offset along the x-axis relative to the first cone-beam x-rays.
11 . The method of claim 10 further including the step of repeatedly alternating said steps a) and b).
12 . The method of claim 10 further including the steps of:
c) receiving said first cone-beam x-rays and said second cone-beam x-rays after passing through the patient; and
d) generating a CT image based upon said step c).
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein said step d) further includes the step of generating a three-dimensional model of the patient based upon the received first cone-beam x-rays and the received second cone-beam x-rays.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein said step c) includes the steps of receiving the first cone-beam x-rays in a first area and receiving the second cone-beam x-rays in a second area, the first area at least partially overlapping with the second area.
15 . The method of claim 10 wherein said step a) includes generating said first cone-beam x-rays from a first source and wherein said step b) includes generating said second cone-beam x-rays from a second source, the first source axially offset from the second source.
16 . The method of claim 15 further including the step of receiving the first cone-beam x-rays and the second cone-beam x-rays in a plane opposed to the first source and the second source.