Method and apparatus for tomographic X-ray imaging and source configuration
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 tomographic x-ray imaging system for imaging an object comprising:
a plurality of x-ray sources positioned around said object for producing x-ray radiation;
a moving collimator located between said plurality of x-ray sources and said object for projecting said x-ray radiation through said object; and
an x-ray detector for measuring amount of said x-ray radiation passing through said object and striking said detector.
2. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of x-ray sources are arranged in a ring around said object in a stationary configuration.
3. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector rotates at a speed of at least three rotations per second.
4. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of vacuum envelopes wherein each of said vacuum envelopes comprising a plurality of said x-ray sources.
5. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of x-ray sources is an array of linear x-ray tubes.
6. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said collimator is scanned with said x-ray radiation every 15 milliseconds.
7. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein axial width of said x-ray sources is similar to the axial width of said detector during exposure.
8. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein intensity of said x-ray radiation is adaptively adjusted based on attenuation of said x-ray radiation by said object.
9. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector is a photon counting detector.
10. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein volume acquisition occurs with a scan time of less than 300 milliseconds.
11. The tomographic x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein an image of said object is produced without cone-beam artifacts.
12. A method for producing a tomographic x-ray image of an object comprising:
producing x-ray radiation from a plurality of x-ray sources arranged around said object;
directing said x-ray radiation towards a collimator;
moving said collimator in an arc around said object; and
measuring amount of said x-ray radiation striking a detector.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
moving said detector in an arc around said object.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
rotating said detector at a speed of at least three rotations per second.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
matching axial width of said x-ray sources with axial width of said detector.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
rotating said collimator at a speed of at least three rotations per second.
17. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
adjusting intensity of said x-ray radiation based on attenuation of said x-ray radiation by said object.
18. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
generating volume acquisition with a scan time of less than 300 milliseconds.
19. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
imaging said object without cone-beam artifacts.
20. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
counting photons striking said detector.