CT Composite Focal Spot Shaping for Resolution and Focus Area
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT systems lack the capability to alternate between two or more focal spots of different sizes and/or shapes, which limits the ability to combine the advantages of high spatial resolution and large area of focus in a single image.
Innovation Solution
The method involves controlling the CT system to focus a beam of electrons at multiple focal spots on a target, generating a composite focal spot by combining the characteristics of these focal spots, and obtaining projection data using this composite focal spot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a smaller focal spot is used, then spatial resolution is improved, but area of focus is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple focal spots of different sizes and shapes into a composite focal spot. By merging the advantages of small focal spots (high spatial resolution) and large focal spots (large area of focus), the system achieves both high spatial resolution and large area of focus simultaneously in a single image, resolving the technical contradiction between these two parameters.
2Area of stationary object
If a larger focal spot is used, then area of focus is increased, but spatial resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple focal spots with different characteristics into a composite focal spot. This allows the image to benefit from both large focal spots (providing large area of focus) and small focal spots (providing high spatial resolution), thereby resolving the contradiction between area of focus and spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite focal spot enables different regions of the image to have different quality characteristics. By combining focal spots of different sizes and shapes, the system can provide high spatial resolution in certain areas and large area of focus in other areas, allowing local optimization of image quality according to specific imaging needs.
3Area of stationary object
If alternating between two or more focal spots is implemented, then area of focus is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of alternating between multiple focal spots in separate images, the system merges multiple focal spots into a single composite focal spot that operates within a single image. This approach achieves the benefit of large area of focus while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple focal spots and managing alternating acquisition sequences.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the quality of the resulting images by increasing the area of focus and maintaining high spatial resolution, thereby combining the benefits of smaller and larger focal spots.
Implementation Method 1
an electron beam generated by a cathode is directed towards a target within an X-ray tube
Implementation Method 2
A fan-shaped or cone-shaped beam of X-rays produced by electrons colliding with the target
Implementation Method 3
the focal spot is created by focusing the electron beam using focusing electrodes and/or magnets
Implementation Method 4
the focal spot is created by focusing the electron beam using focusing electrodes and/or magnets
Implementation Method 5
After being attenuated by the object, the X-rays impinge upon an array of radiation detectors, generating an image
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for increasing a quality of computed tomography (CT) images generated by a CT system by altering a shape of a focal spot of an X-ray emitter of the CT system. In one embodiment, a method comprises controlling the CT system to focus a beam of electrons generated by a cathode of the CT system at a plurality of focal spots on a surface of an target of the CT system; generating a composite focal spot from the plurality of focal spots; and obtaining projection data of the CT system with the composite focal spot. For example, two focal spots may be combined to generate the composite focal spot. By combining focal spots to generate composite focal spots, a quality of a resulting view produced by the CT system may be increased.