Multiple-layered energy-integrating detector in a hybrid computed tomography scanner
View Patent ↗A CT scanner apparatus includes an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors. Each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of stacked scintillators and a photosensor adjacent to a sidewall of the stacked scintillators in a side-readout configuration.
1. A computed tomography (CT) scanner apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus;
a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object; and
a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors, wherein each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of stacked scintillators and a photosensor circuit adjacent to a sidewall of the stacked scintillators in a side-readout configuration.
2. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the photosensor circuit includes a plurality of interconnected photosensors, one for each of the plurality of stacked scintillators.
3. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the photosensor circuit includes a silicon photomultiplier.
4. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the X-ray source and the first X-ray detector are configured to rotate together about the object.
5. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a material that is different from the other scintillators.
6. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a same material.
7. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators has a material thickness that is different from other scintillators of the plurality of scintillators.
8. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second X-ray detectors are mounted on the gantry.
9. A computed tomography (CT) scanner apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus;
a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object; and
a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors, wherein each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of alternating scintillators and photosensors in a layer-readout configuration.
10. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the X-ray source and the first X-ray detector are configured to rotate together about the object.
11. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a material that is different from other scintillators of the plurality of scintillators.
12. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators includes a same material.
13. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of scintillators has a material thickness that is different from other scintillators of the plurality of scintillators.
14. The CT scanner apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second X-ray detectors are mounted on the gantry.