Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for z-axis tracking and collimation

US6980623B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
18References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 29, 2003
Grant dateDec 27, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 30, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B6/032
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for adjusting a focal spot position during a scan of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system having a z-axis. The CT imaging system includes a detector array having a plurality of detector elements and an x-ray tube configured to direct an x-ray beam towards the detector through an object to be imaged. The method includes turning on the x-ray tube and reading a z-ratio from the detector. A shift in a position of a focal spot of the x-ray tube is then determined utilizing the read z-ratio. The method further includes using a transfer function to determine a compensating electronic deflection value; and applying the electronic deflection value to the x-ray tube as at least one of a deflection voltage or a deflection current to track the focal spot in the z-axis direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.