CT EQUIPMENT

Components

Filter:

Placed between the x-ray source and the patient (similar to that used in plain film radiography).

1. Removes low energy (soft) x-rays that do not contribute to image formation but do increase
patient dose.

2. As the low energy x-rays are removed there is a narrower spectrum of x-ray energies creating a
more "monochromatic" beam. Image reconstruction is based upon the assumption of a single
energy, monochromatic beam.
3. In some scanners the filter is shaped. The lateral edges of a body is thinner than the centre
meaning the x-ray beam is less attenuated. A shaped filter compensates for this by attenuating
the lateral edges of the beam more than the centre.

Collimator:

The Collimator is placed between the filter and the patient.

1. Defines slice thickness in single slice scanners

2. Lowers radiation dose to patient

3. Restricts scatter from outside of desired slice

Detector Array:

A single-slice detector has one row of detectors. Multi-slice detectors have 8-64 rows. There are
generally 700-900 detectors in each row.

Important properties:
 High detection efficiency for x-rays in CT energy range
 High dynamic range

 Narrow gaps between active elements (good geometrical efficiency)

 Fast response

 Low cost

 Small physical size

Types of detectors:

1. Solid State Detector 2. Ionisation Chamber Detectors

There is a solid scintillator layer that The detector array is a single vessel filled with
converts the x-rays into visible light photons. gases of a high atomic number (Krypton / Xenon)
The photodiode then converts the photon and subdivided into separate detectors by
input into an electrical signal. tungsten septae.

The x-rays ionise the gas and produce a signal at

the collection electrodes.
Properties: Properties:
 High detection efficiency(~90%)  Lower detection effiiciency (~50%)
 High geometrical efficiency (~80%)  High stability

 Small physical size of detector  Consistent sensitivity between detector

elements elements

Most commonly used detectors in new

scanners Largely superseded by solid-state detectors.
Unsuitable for multislice scanners

Gantry:

A slip-ring enables continuous rotation of the CT scanner gantry. Brushes on the rotating gantry,
through contact with the stationary ring, allows power to be supplied to the gantry and the signal
to be passed to the computer. Rotation times are between 0.3-2 seconds.
Generations of CT Scanner

Electron Beam Scanner

(Sometimes described as 5th generation CT).

 An electron beam is deflected by an electromagnetic field onto a fixed array of tungsten
anode target underneath the patient.
 The electromagnetic field sweeps the electron beam across the target creating hundreds
of x-ray beams firing through the patient to the detector above the patient.

 Very fast scanning of 50-250 milliseconds.

  Mainly used in cardiac imaging.

Summary
 Components of a CT scanner:
o Filter:

 Placed between x-ray source and patient

 Removes low energy x-rays

 Produces more monochromatic beam

 May be bowtie-shaped to even out attenuation once it passes through the

body

o Collimator:

 Placed between filter and patient

 Narrows beam to produce thinner slice

o Detector array:

 Solid state:

 Most commonly used

 Solid scintillator layer converts x-rays into light photons

 Ionisation chamber detector:

 Gas filled single chamber that is ionised by x-rays passing through

o Gantry:

 Slip-ring system allows continuous rotation of the gantry

 Generations of CT scanners:

o 1st: Translate-Rotate with single detector

o 2nd: Translate-Rotate with row of detectors

o 3rd: Rotate-Rotate with continuous rotation of a row of detectors. Most commonly

used CT type
o 4th: Rotate-Fixed with complete ring of fixed detectors

o 5th: Electron beam scanner used in cardiac imaging