Tomographic scanning apparatus having detector signal digitizing means mounted to rotate with detectors

Patent · Tue Feb 26 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5732437

Dinwiddie, K L; Friday, R G; Racz, J A; Seppi, E J

Scanning apparatus is disclosed for use in computerized axial tomography systems. The apparatus includes an assembly rotatable about an axis extending along a central opening defined therein, and means for positioning the body portion to be examined within the central opening so that the axis of assembly rotation is perpendicular to a plane passing through the bodily structures to be examined. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on the assembly toward one side thereof and provides radiation in the form of a fan beam. Detector means for the radiation are positioned on the assembly opposite the source, enabling detection of radiation which traverses laterally and is not absorbed in the thin body section in which the aforementioned plane resides. Means are provided for rotating the assembly so that the fan beam impinges upon said body portion at a plurality of incident directions. Signal processing and conditioning means mounted on the assembly and movable therewith, receive the output signals from the detector means and amplify and convert same to digital form. Slip ring interconnection means rotatable with the assembly, receive the outputs from the signal processors and conditioners and interfeed these signals to a computerized image reconstruction station. Slip rings rotatable with the assembly also provide interconnection enabling power and control inputs to the radiation source and to other portions of the apparatus. The assembly is continuously rotatable through successive 360 degree rotations and the examination sequence may be initiated at any point in the rotation of the assembly. The detector comprises an array of elements and means are provided for adjusting the gains of each channel associated with the individual detector elements as an incident of the examination process, thereby enabling compensation for drift in the channels.

• Assignee: Varian Associates Inc
• Patent Number(s): US 4190772
• OSTI ID: 5732437
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BEAM SHAPING
CAT SCANNING
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
IMAGE PROCESSING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MOTION
PROCESSING
RADIATION DETECTORS
ROTATION
SIGNALS
TOMOGRAPHY