Inverse geometry volume computed tomography systems
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for inverse geometry volume computed tomography medical imaging of a human patient. A plurality of x-ray sources for producing x-ray radiation are used. The gaps between the x-ray sources is less than 20 cm. A collimator located between the plurality of x-ray sources and the human patient is also used. A detector is also used.
1. A computed tomography x-ray imaging system for imaging a human patient comprising:
a plurality of x-ray sources for delivering x-ray radiation to said human patient;
a plurality of gaps of less than 20 cm between said x-ray sources;
a collimator located between said plurality of x-ray sources and said human patient for projecting said x-ray radiation through said human patient; and
a x-ray detector for measuring amount of said x-ray radiation passing through said human patient and striking said detector.
2. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said gaps are angled.
3. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein an angle between an edge of such gaps and a long edge of a source array of said sources is 45 degrees.
4. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein an angle between an edge of such gaps and a long edge of a source array of said sources is between 5 and 45 degrees.
5. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said gaps are chevron shaped.
6. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein an angle between one edge of said gaps and a long edge of a source array of said sources is 135 degrees.
7. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 5 wherein a height of a triangle formed by said chevron shaped gap is greater than a width of said gap.