Multi-bulb tube 360-degree detector CT (Computed Tomography) system

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-bulb tube 360-degree detector CT system which comprises a bulb tube track, a plurality of bulb tubes arranged on the bulb tube track and detectors arranged corresponding to the bulb tubes. The bulb tube track can rotate around the central axis of the CT machine, and on the basis, the bulb tubes can be driven to rotate around the central axis of the CT machine. After X-rays emitted by the bulb tube pass through a scanned object, the scanned object absorbs the X-rays, after the X-rays are received by the detector, the detector converts the X-rays into corresponding electric signals, the electric signals are sent to the image generation module, the image generation module can calculate the absorption degree of the X-rays according to the electric signals, and then the scanned object can be imaged. According to the scheme, the multiple bulb tubes are adopted, it can be ensured that the imaging resolution of the scanning results reaches the high standard, different detectors detect the scanning results respectively, the image generation module can generate the images of the scanned objects at different angles according to the different scanning results, and therefore the images have higher accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of medical imaging technology, and in particular to a multi-tube 360° detector CT system. Background Art

[0002] X-ray computed tomography (CT) is currently the most important imaging system, especially for examining disease-sensitive lesions with density and morphological changes.

[0003] Generally, a CT system includes a rotating gantry, an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a control device, and an image reconstruction device. The rotating gantry is usually an annular structure, mounted on a support component, and can rotate around its own axis. Generally, the direction parallel to the axis of the rotating gantry is called the Z direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the Z direction is called the X direction, and the directions perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction are called the Y direction. The X-ray tube is mounted on the rotating gantry and can emit X-rays in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The X-ray detector is mounted on the rotating gantry at a position opposite to the X-ray tube, and is used to receive the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray tube and convert it into image information and output it to the image reconstruction device. When performing a CT scan, for each scanning section (or tomography), generally, the information of the target object can be collected from multiple angles first, and then the image of the target object can be reconstructed based on the information collected from multiple angles. In order to obtain information of the target object at multiple angles, the control device usually controls the rotating frame to drive the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to rotate around the axis of the rotating frame. During the rotation process, the X-ray tube is controlled to emit X-rays and the X-ray detector is controlled to collect and receive the X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube based on time triggering or position triggering, thereby realizing multi-angle scanning trigger control.

[0004] The existing CT system mentioned above adopts a method of corresponding a single tube to a single detector, and its detection accuracy is limited, resulting in a low final imaging resolution of the CT system. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the existing CT system uses a single set of tubes and detectors to cooperate, which affects the resolution of the final imaging.

[0006] The present invention provides a multi-tube 360° detector CT system, comprising:

[0007] The tube track is arranged in the CT machine and can rotate around the central axis of the CT machine;

[0008] A plurality of tubes are arranged on the tube track, a certain interval is provided between two adjacent tubes, and the X-rays emitted by different tubes have different working voltages;

[0009] A plurality of detectors are fixedly arranged on the circumference of the inner wall of the CT machine, each of the detectors receives X-rays emitted by at least one of the tubes, generates a corresponding electrical signal according to the received X-rays, and transmits the electrical signal to an image generation module.

[0010] In some embodiments of the multi-tube 360° detector CT system, the tube track is arranged on the rotating frame of the CT machine, and the tube track rotates synchronously with the rotating frame.

[0011] In some schemes, the multi-tube 360° detector CT system is described, wherein the tube track is arranged in the middle of the CT machine, and the ratio of the diameter of the tube track to the diameter of the rotating frame of the CT machine is 1:A, and 10≤A≤15.

[0012] In some embodiments of the multi-tube 360° detector CT system, the ratio of the diameter of the tube track to the diameter of the rotating gantry of the CT machine is 1:10.

[0013] In some embodiments, the multi-tube 360° detector CT system has a number of tubes and a number of detectors that are both (2n+1).

[0014] In some schemes, the multi-tube 360° detector CT system is characterized in that (2n+1) tubes are evenly distributed on the tube track; and (2n+1) detectors are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the CT machine.

[0015] In some schemes, the multi-tube 360° detector CT system described in this invention has the same or different working voltages for the X-rays emitted by different tubes and the duration of the X-ray emission by the tubes is less than a set duration, which is close to instantaneous emission, and the detector detects the X-rays at the instant when the tubes emit X-rays.

[0016] In some schemes, the multi-tube 360° detector CT system is described, wherein the detection area of ​​(2n+1) detectors covers a 360° circumferential area of ​​the inner wall of the CT machine, and each detector is provided with a ray channel for receiving the X-rays with uniform spacing.

[0017] The multi-tube 360° detector CT system described in some embodiments further includes:

[0018] A collimator is arranged between each of the tubes and the detector, and has a through hole for constraining the X-rays emitted by the tubes so that the X-rays can be accurately received by the corresponding detector.

[0019] In some embodiments of the multi-tube 360° detector CT system, the through hole on the collimator has a rectangular cross-section.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the above solution provided by the present invention has at least the following technical effects:

[0021] The multi-tube 360° detector CT system provided by the present invention includes a tube track and multiple tubes arranged on the tube track, and detectors arranged corresponding to the tubes, and the detectors receive X-rays emitted by the tubes opposite to them. The tube track can rotate around the central axis of the CT machine, and on this basis, can drive each tube to rotate around the central axis of the CT machine. After the X-rays emitted by the tube pass through the scanned object, the scanned object absorbs the X-rays. After the X-rays are received by the detector, the detector converts them into corresponding electrical signals, and the electrical signals are sent to the image generation module. The image generation module can calculate the degree of absorption of the X-rays based on the electrical signals, and then can image the scanned object. The solution of the present application uses multiple tubes, which can ensure that the resolution of the scanning result imaging reaches a high standard. Different detectors detect the scanning results respectively, and the image generation module can generate images of the scanned object at different angles according to different scanning results, so that the image has higher accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ball tube arranged in a ball tube track according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a ball tube track according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a single tube emitting X-rays which pass through a scanned object and are then received by a corresponding detector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of X-rays emitted by five tubes according to an embodiment of the present invention and then received by corresponding detectors after passing through a scanned object;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the tube track is arranged in the middle of a CT machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the above, the reference numerals represent:

[0029] 100-CT machine housing;

[0030] 200-tube track, 201-tube, 202-X-ray, 2021-No. 1 tube X-ray, 2022-No. 2 tube X-ray, 2023-No. 3 tube X-ray, 2024-No. 4 tube X-ray, 2025-No. 5 tube X-ray;

[0031] 300 - Scanned object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The specific implementation of the present application is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] It is easy to understand that according to the technical solution of the present application, without changing the essential spirit of the present application, a variety of structural modes and implementation modes that can be replaced by those skilled in the art can be replaced with each other. Therefore, the following specific implementation modes and drawings are only exemplary descriptions of the technical solution of the present application, and should not be regarded as the entirety of the present application or as a limitation or restriction on the technical solution of the application.

[0034] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, bottom, etc. mentioned or may be mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the drawings. They are relative concepts and may change accordingly according to different positions and different usage conditions. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive terms.

[0035] This embodiment provides a multi-tube 360° detector CT system, such as Figure 1 As shown, it is arranged inside the CT machine housing 100, and includes a tube track 200, a plurality of tubes 201 and a plurality of detectors. The tube 201 emits X-rays to scan the scanned object 300. The tube track 200 is arranged inside the CT machine and can rotate around the central axis of the CT machine; the plurality of tubes 201 are arranged on the tube track 200. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, there is a certain interval between two adjacent tubes 201, and the X-rays emitted by different tubes 201 can have different working voltages or the same working voltage, which is not limited here; Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of detectors are fixedly arranged on the circumference of the inner wall of the CT machine, and each of the detectors receives the X-rays 202 emitted by the tube 201 opposite thereto. The detection area T of one of the detectors is shown in the figure, and the detection area T can correspond to the scanning range of the X-rays emitted by the tube 201 opposite thereto. The detector generates a corresponding electrical signal according to the received X-rays 202, and transmits the electrical signal to the image generation module.

[0036] The multi-tube 360° detector CT system provided in the above embodiment includes a tube track 200 and multiple tubes 201 arranged on the tube track 200, and detectors arranged corresponding to the tubes 201. The tube track 200 can rotate around the central axis of the CT machine, and on this basis can drive each tube 201 to rotate around the central axis of the CT machine. After the X-rays 202 emitted by the tube 201 pass through the scanned object 300, the scanned object 300 absorbs the X-rays. After the X-rays are received by the detector, the detector converts them into corresponding electrical signals, which are sent to the image generation module. The image generation module can calculate the degree of absorption of the X-rays according to the electrical signals, and then can image the scanned object 300. The solution of the present application adopts multiple tubes 201 to ensure that the resolution of the scanning result imaging reaches a higher standard. Different detectors detect the scanning results respectively, and the image generation module can generate images of the scanned object at different angles according to different scanning results, so that the image has higher accuracy.

[0037] Preferably, the number of the tubes 201 and the number of the detectors are both (2n+1), where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Figure 5 Taking the structure shown as an example, n=2, that is, there are five tubes 201, which are set as tube No. 1, tube No. 2, tube No. 3, tube No. 4 and tube No. 5, and the X-rays emitted by each tube are: tube No. 1 X-ray 2021, tube No. 2 X-ray 2022, tube No. 3 X-ray 2023, tube No. 4 X-ray 2024, tube No. 5 X-ray 2025, and the working voltages of the above five rays can be the same, different, or partially the same. This embodiment takes the following method as an example: the above five X-rays have different working voltages, and for different scanning objects, X-rays with different numbers can be selected for scanning to select X-rays with suitable working voltages. It is also possible to make multiple tubes with different working voltages scan the scanned object at the same time to obtain images of the scanned object at different angles, so that the image has higher accuracy. It can be understood that the method of controlling the rotation of the tube track 200 and the method of controlling the tube 201 to emit X-rays according to the scanning cycle in this solution, the image generation module converting the electrical signal into the image of the scanned object, etc. can be implemented by using the existing solutions in the prior art. In addition, when all the tubes 201 work at the same time, the sum of the doses of the emitted X-rays will not cause harm to the human body, that is, it is always kept within the safe scanning range.

[0038] In some solutions, the tube track 200 is arranged on the rotating frame of the CT machine, and the tube track 200 rotates synchronously with the rotating frame, that is, the rotation method of a single tube in the prior art is adopted, and multiple sets of tubes and detectors are added on the basis of the setting of a single set of tubes and detectors in the prior art. Through this solution, the modification of the original CT machine is small and the control method is simple.

[0039] In other schemes, such as Figure 6 As shown, the ball tube track 200 is arranged in the middle of the CT machine, and the ratio of the diameter of the ball tube track 200 to the diameter of the rotating gantry of the CT machine is 1:A, and 10≤A≤15. In specific implementation, a rotating gantry structure with a smaller diameter can be added inside the CT machine, and the ball tube track 200 is arranged on it. The diameter of the ball tube track 200 is smaller, and the time required for one rotation is shorter. The same scanning method is adopted with higher efficiency. Preferably, the ratio of the diameter of the ball tube track 200 to the diameter of the rotating gantry of the CT machine is 1:10. Based on the solution of the present application, the detection accuracy requirements and data processing speed requirements of ordinary detectors can be met. Similarly, its working process includes: during one scanning cycle, five tubes 201 arranged on the small radius tube track 200 rotate according to a preset rule to generate multiple rotating focal points, and emit X-rays with the same or different working voltages. After the X-rays pass through the scanned object 300, they are received by the detector on the inner wall of the large radius CT machine. The detector includes a plurality of channels for receiving X-rays with uniform spacing. This solution greatly improves the spatial resolution of CT scanning through multiple tubes, 360° range detectors, and the difference between the tube scanning radius and the detector detection radius, thereby improving the efficiency of CT scanning and realizing CT scanning of more subtle specimens.

[0040] In the present application embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, preferably, the number of the tubes 201 and the number of the detectors are both five. The tubes 201 fixed on the tube track 200 realize 360° uniform rotation through the tube track 200, and each emits X-rays with different working voltages, while the detectors are fixed, and the corresponding detectors receive the X-rays 202 emitted by the tubes 201. Preferably, the five tubes 201 are evenly distributed on the tube track 200, and the center of each tube is 72° apart; the five detectors are evenly fixed and distributed on the inner wall of the CT machine. In this way, the control process and the subsequent data processing process are simpler.

[0041] like Figure 5 In the structure shown, the detection area of ​​the five detectors covers a 360° circumferential area of ​​the inner wall of the CT machine. That is, the detection range can cover X-rays at any angle, and scanning can be completed at any position during the rotation of the tube. When scanning, the five tubes 201 simultaneously generate X-rays 202 with different working voltages, and the detectors independently collect corresponding X-ray data. Because the X-rays 202 generated by the tube 201 have a continuous energy distribution, what is collected by multiple detectors is a multi-energy spectrum. By using the multi-energy spectrum of different absorption results generated by the scanned object under different X-ray energies, this solution can provide more imaging information than conventional CT.

[0042] In some solutions, the duration of the X-ray emission from the different tubes 201 is less than the set duration, close to instantaneous emission, and the detector detects the X-ray at the instant when the X-ray is emitted from the tube 201. Specifically, the set duration is less than 1ms, which is equivalent to instantaneous emission, and the detector receives the X-ray instantaneously, which can avoid unnecessary deviation caused by too long X-ray emission time and improve detection accuracy.

[0043] Preferably, each of the detectors is provided with a ray channel for receiving the X-rays and having uniform spacing. Multiple tubes 201 rotate uniformly at the same time and emit X-rays of the same or different working voltages. The multiple tubes 201 rotate according to preset rules to generate multiple rotating focal points, and the corresponding fixed detectors receive the X-rays after the tubes pass through the scanned object. Because the channels of the detectors are distributed within the 360° range, the channels correspond to the X-rays received from the opposite focal points, so that the intervals between the received X-rays can be kept uniform, thereby obtaining a curve that changes with the energy of the X-rays in a certain regularity, and finally forming a multi-energy spectrum. The CT structure of the multiple tube rotating focal points and the 360° detector of the present invention improves the spatial resolution and temporal resolution of CT imaging.

[0044] Furthermore, the solution of the present application also includes a collimator, which is arranged between each of the tubes and the detector, and the collimator has a through hole for constraining the X-rays emitted by the tubes, so that the X-rays are accurately received by the corresponding detectors. Preferably, the through hole on the collimator has a rectangular cross-section. Through the solution of the present application, the collimator is used to limit the X-rays emitted by the tube 201, which can ensure that the X-rays emitted by the tube 201 are received by the detector to the maximum extent.

[0045] As needed, the above technical solutions can be combined to achieve the best technical effect.

[0046] The above are only the principles and preferred embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that, for ordinary technicians in this field, on the basis of the principles of the present application, several other modifications can be made, which should also be considered as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A multi-tube 360° detector CT system, characterized in that: include: The tube track is arranged in the CT machine and can rotate around the central axis of the CT machine; A plurality of ball tubes are arranged on the ball tube track, and a certain interval is provided between two adjacent ball tubes; A plurality of detectors are fixedly arranged on the circumference of the inner wall of the CT machine, each of the detectors receives the X-rays emitted by the tube opposite to it, generates a corresponding electrical signal according to the received X-rays, and transmits the electrical signal to the image generation module.

2. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tube track is arranged on the rotating frame of the CT machine, and the tube track rotates synchronously with the rotating frame.

3. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tube track is arranged in the middle of the CT machine, and the ratio of the diameter of the tube track to the diameter of the rotating frame of the CT machine is 1:A, and 10≤A≤15.

4. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ratio of the diameter of the tube track to the diameter of the rotating frame of the CT machine is 1:

10.

5. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The number of the tubes and the number of the detectors are both (2n+1), where n≥1.

6. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 5, characterized in that: (2n+1) of the ball tubes are evenly distributed on the ball tube track; The (2n+1) detectors are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the CT machine.

7. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The working voltages of the X-rays emitted by different tubes are the same or different, and the duration of the X-ray emission by the tube is less than the set duration, close to instantaneous emission, and the detector detects the X-ray at the instant when the tube emits the X-ray.

8. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The detection areas of the (2n+1) detectors cover a 360° circumferential area of ​​the inner wall of the CT machine, and each of the detectors is provided with a ray channel with uniform spacing for receiving the X-rays.

9. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Also includes: A collimator is arranged between each of the tubes and the detector, and has a through hole for constraining the X-rays emitted by the tubes so that the X-rays can be accurately received by the corresponding detector.

10. The multi-tube 360° detector CT system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The through hole on the collimator has a rectangular cross section.

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