Spectrally resolving X-ray imaging device

US8515147B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINIKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Christian Baeumer · Hergenrath, BE
• Roger Steadman Booker · Aachen, DE
• Gereon Vogtmeier · Aachen, DE
• Thomas Scheel · Stolberg, DE
• Christoph Loef · Aachen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2007
• Grant date: Aug 20, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 28, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B6/032
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to an X-ray imaging device, particularly a Spectral-CT scanner, that comprises an X-ray source for generating X-radiation with an energy spectrum which varies continuously during an observation period. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation is attenuated in an object according to an energy-dependent attenuation coefficient μ, the transmitted radiation is measured by sensor units of a detector, and the resulting measurement signal is sampled and A/D converted. This is preferably done by an oversampling A/D converter, for example a ΣΔ-ADC. The tube voltage that drives the X-ray source is sampled with high frequency. In an evaluation system, these sampled measurement values can be associated with corresponding effective energy spectra to determine the energy dependent attenuation coefficient μ.