Static-Gantry CT With Offset Detector Ring for Reduced Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computed tomography (CT) systems face challenges due to mechanical complexity, high manufacturing and maintenance costs, image quality issues, and data transmission limitations caused by rotating gantries, which also lead to vibrations and artifacts in images.
Innovation Solution
A computed tomography system with a static gantry incorporating a detector ring and an X-ray source ring, where the X-ray source ring has a larger diameter than the detector ring, allowing for a non-rotating design that simulates rotation through sequential activation of X-ray sources, reducing mechanical complexity and enabling a more compact, cost-effective, and artifact-free image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rotating gantry is used in conventional CT systems, then image acquisition is enabled, but mechanical complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is segmented into a detector ring and an X-ray source ring with different diameters. The detector ring has a smaller diameter than the X-ray source ring, creating a radial offset that allows the detector ring to pass through the aperture without mechanical interference. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex rotating mechanisms while maintaining image acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the entire gantry as in conventional systems, the invention inverts the approach by making the gantry static and using sequential activation of X-ray sources around the perimeter to simulate rotation. This eliminates mechanical rotation while achieving the same imaging function.
2Reliability
If a rotating gantry is used, then CT imaging is achieved, but vibrations and artifacts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional rotating gantry approach by using a static gantry with sequentially activated X-ray sources. This eliminates mechanical vibrations and rotation-induced artifacts while maintaining the ability to acquire CT images from multiple angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical rotation system is replaced with an electrical control system that sequentially activates X-ray sources around the gantry perimeter. This substitution eliminates mechanical vibrations and their associated artifacts while achieving the same imaging objective through controlled emission timing.
3Device complexity
If a static gantry with detector ring and X-ray source ring is used, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but ensuring proper beam exit aperture clearance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric design where the detector ring has a smaller diameter than the X-ray source ring. This radial offset creates a geometric relationship where the detector ring naturally passes through the beam exit aperture without interference, simplifying the clearance requirement to a straightforward radial dimension difference rather than complex positional alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem of aperture clearance is solved by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar alignment problem to a three-dimensional radial offset solution. By positioning the detector ring at a different radial distance from the gantry center than the X-ray source ring, the aperture clearance is automatically ensured through the radial dimension, eliminating complex alignment requirements.
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 design eliminates the need for rotating parts, reduces hardware costs, minimizes vibrations and artifacts, and allows for faster image acquisition with improved image quality and flexibility in angle selection, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
The computed tomography system comprises an examination area and a static gantry. The static gantry includes a detector ring and an X-ray source ring... The X-ray source ring has a larger diameter than the detector ring, so that, viewed radially, the X-ray source ring is arranged further out around the examination area than the detector ring.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Computed tomography system comprising an examination area (2) and a static gantry (4) comprising a detector ring (6) and an X-ray source ring (8), each enclosing the examination area (2) and having a substantially common axial direction, wherein the X-ray source ring (8) has a larger diameter than the detector ring (6) such that, viewed radially, the X-ray source ring (8) is arranged further out around the examination area (2) than the detector ring (6), wherein the detector ring (6) is arranged axially offset from the X-ray source ring (8) such that a beam exit aperture (9) of the X-ray source ring (8) is at least partially not obscured by the detector ring (6) when viewed radially towards the examination area (2).