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 stationary x-ray sources for producing x-ray radiation are used. A rotating collimator located between the plurality of x-ray sources and the human patient is also used. A rotating detector can also be used.
1. A computed tomography x-ray imaging system for imaging a human patient comprising:
a plurality of stationary x-ray sources for producing x-ray radiation;
a rotating collimator located between said plurality of x-ray sources and said human patient for projecting said x-ray radiation through said human patient; and
an 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 plurality of stationary x-ray sources are arranged in a ring around said human patient.
3. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of stationary x-ray sources are scanned x-ray sources.
4. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector rotates at a speed of at least three rotations per second.
5. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:
three vacuum envelopes wherein each of said vacuum envelopes comprising three of said plurality of x-ray sources.
6. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of stationary x-ray sources is an array of linear x-ray tubes.
7. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said collimator spans an arc in the range of 120 degrees and less.
8. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:
nine vacuum envelopes wherein each of said nine vacuum envelopes comprising one of said plurality of x-ray sources.
9. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said collimator is scanned with said x-ray radiation every 15 milliseconds.
10. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said collimator spans an arc of about 120 degrees.
11. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector is capable of rotating around said patient.
12. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector has an axial width in the range of 16 cm and less.
13. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector has a length in the range of 16 cm and less.
14. The computed tomography x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector has a width in the range of 5 cm and less.
15. A method for producing a computed tomography x-ray image of a human patient comprising:
producing x-ray radiation from a plurality of stationary x-ray sources;
directing said x-ray radiation towards a collimator;
rotating said collimator around said human patient; and
measuring amount of said x-ray radiation striking a detector.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
rotating said detector around said human patient.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
scanning an electron beam over a target to produce said x-ray radiation.