IP Library Granted Patent US 9,192,341
Granted Patent B2
US 9,192,341 · App. 13/764,865 · Granted Nov 24, 2015

Computed tomography device and method for operating a computed tomography device

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 9,192,341
App. No.
13/764,865
Granted
Nov 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is disclosed for operating a computed tomography device including an x-ray source embodied to emit a fan-type beam bundle and a detector arrangement interacting therewith and including a plurality of detector elements. An embodiment of the method provides that an integration time provided to read out a detector element is dependent on the position of the detector element within the detector arrangement, wherein with a detector element which detects x-rays which penetrate the isocenter lying between the x-ray source and the detector arrangement, a longer integration time is provided, than with a detector element which detects x-rays which penetrate an examination volume which is further away from the isocenter.

Claims (18)

1. A method for operating a computed tomography device including an x-ray source and a detector arrangement, the x-ray source being configured to emit a fan-type beam bundle, the detector arrangement including a plurality of detector elements, and the detector arrangement being configured to interact with the x-ray source, wherein integration times to read out the plurality of detector elements are dependent on positions of the plurality of detector elements within the detector arrangement, the method comprising:

providing a longer integration time for at least a first detector element configured to detect x-rays which penetrate the isocenter, disposed between the x-ray source and the detector arrangement, than for at least a second detector element configured detect x-rays which penetrate an examination volume relatively further away from the isocenter, wherein

the integration times vary in at least three stages as a function of the positions of the plurality of detector elements within the detector arrangement.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the first detector element is at a center of the detector arrangement; and

a maximum integration time for the first detector element, is twice a minimal integration time an edge of the detector arrangement.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the integration time for each detector element with a non-minimal integration time is a whole number multiple of a shortest integration time applied at an edge of the detector arrangement.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the integration time of each of the plurality of detector elements with a non-minimal integration time is a whole number multiple of a shortest integration time applied at an edge of the detector arrangement.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a maximum integration time for at least one of the plurality of detector elements is at least four times a minimal integration time for another of the plurality of detector elements of the detector arrangement.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program codes configured to produce the method of claim 1 when executed on a computing unit.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a computer device, causing the computer device to implement the method of claim 1 .

8. A computed tomography device comprising:

an x-ray source configured to emit a fan-type beam bundle; and

a detector arrangement including a plurality of detector elements, the detector arrangement being configured to interact with the x-ray source, wherein

integration times to read out the plurality of detector elements are dependent on positions of the plurality of detector elements within the detector arrangement,

a relatively longer integration time is provided for at least a first detector element configured to detect x-rays which penetrate the isocenter, disposed between the x-ray source and the detector arrangement, than for at least a second detector element configured detect x-rays which penetrate an examination volume relatively further away from the isocenter, and

the integration times vary in at least three stages as a function of the positions of the plurality of detector elements within the detector arrangement.

9. The computed tomography device of claim 8 , wherein a maximum integration time for at least one of the plurality of detector elements is at least four times a minimal integration time for another of the plurality of detector elements of the detector arrangement.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2016
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
Reel/Frame 039271/0561 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2013
From: KAPPLER, STEFFEN; PETERSILKA, MARTIN; STIERSTORFER, KARL
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 030049/0655 →