IP Library Granted Patent US 10,531,855
Granted Patent B2
US 10,531,855 · App. 15/854,972 · Granted Jan 14, 2020

X-ray computed tomography apparatus

Inventor: Yasutaka Shindo (Nasushiobara, JP)
Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
A61B6/54A61B6/032A61B6/0407A61B6/40A61B6/4266A61B6/481
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,531,855
App. No.
15/854,972
Granted
Jan 14, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, acquisition circuitry, a high voltage generator, and processing circuitry. The acquisition circuitry acquires electrical signals from a plurality of X-ray detection elements, and bundles the electrical signals in bundle units in accordance with a resolution mode of the X-ray detector. The processing circuitry determines a resolution mode, an application dose condition, and an X-ray exposure time for target CT imaging. The processing circuitry determines the focus size for the target CT imaging based on the determined resolution mode, application dose condition, and X-ray exposure time.

Claims (17)

1. An X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus comprising:

an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays;

an X-ray detector comprising a plurality of X-ray detection elements configured to detect X-rays;

an acquisition circuitry configured to acquire electrical signals from the plurality of X-ray detection elements and bundles the electrical signals in bundle units according to a resolution mode of the X-ray detector;

a high voltage generator configured to control a dose and a focus size of the X-ray tube; and

processing circuitry configured to determine a resolution mode, an application dose condition, and an X-ray exposure time for target CT imaging, and determine a focus size for the target CT imaging based on the determined resolution mode, application dose condition, and X-ray exposure time.

2. An X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a memory configured to store a table which indicates a relationship between an allowable continuous X-ray exposure time and a tube current value for each of a plurality of focus sizes that are associated with respective combinations of a tube voltage value and an OLP value,

wherein the processing circuitry configured to determine the focus size for the target CT imaging among the plurality of focus sizes, based on the determined resolution mode, application dose condition, and X-ray exposure time by using the table.

3. An X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a display,

wherein the processing circuitry calculates a waiting time required to cool the X-ray tube to perform CT imaging with the focus size, and

wherein the display displays the waiting time.

4. The X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein

if the waiting time is not zero, the processing circuitry changes a value lowest in a priority among the resolution mode, application dose condition, and X-ray exposure time, and determines a focus size with which CT imaging is executable immediately.

5. The X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a display configured to display the determined focus size.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 26, 2019
From: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 049879/0342 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2017
From: SHINDO, YASUTAKA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044489/0299 →