Scalable multislice imaging system

摘要

Scalable multislice systems which, in one embodiment, includes a scalable multi-slice detector (16), a scalable data acquisition system (SDAS) (42), scalable scan management, control, and image reconstruction processes, and scalable image display and analysis, are described. More specifically, and in an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a host computer (24) coupled to a monitor (user interface) (26) for displaying images and messages to the operator. The host computer (24) is coupled to a keyboard (28) and a mouse (30) to enable the operator to input information and commands to the host computer (24), e.g., the desire number of slices and slice thickness. The host computer (24) also is coupled to a scan and reconstruction control unit (SRU) (32) which includes image generation controls. A stationary controller (34) is connected to the SRU (32), through a slipring (38), to an on-board (i.e., on the gantry controller (40) and to a scalable data acquisition system (SDAS) (42). The on-board controller (40) controls operation of the x-ray source (14) and operation of the SDAS (42), which converts analog signals from the scalable detector (16) to digital data. The x-ray source (14) includes a cam collimator (48) controlled by the on-board controller (40). The position of the cams of the cam collimator are adjusted based on the desired number of slices and the desired slice thickness. The system also includes a detector (16) having a number (e.g., 57) of modules. Each module, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a scintillator array and a photodiode array. In the exemplary embodiment, the scintillator and photodiode arrays each are 16 x 16 arrays. The photodiodes are coupled to a switching apparatus which, in the one embodiment, includes an array of FETs, and the FETs control the combination of photodiode outputs based on the desired number of slices and slice thickness input the operator. <IMAGE>