COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

ACTIVITY NO. 1

NAME: Jessey Gil N. Bordon DATE: 08/22/22

OBJECTIVES:

 To defined computed tomography; and

 To identify the historical perspective of computed tomography;

 To explain the advantages of computed tomography scanning;

 To determine the difference between computed tomography and conventional

radiography.

INSTRUCTIONS:

 Use Times New Roman 12 font size

ACTIVITY

1. What is Computed Tomography?

Computed tomography is the creation of a cross-sectional tomographic section of the body

using a rotating fan beam, a detector array, and computed reconstruction. It is an x-ray
imaging modality unlike that of radiography or fluoroscopy.
2. Historical perspective of Computed Tomography/ Discovery of CT.

Alessandro Vallebona, an Italian radiologist, invented tomography in the early 1900s, which
used radiographic film to see a single slice of the body. Even as conventional tomography
evolved, it was still regarded as ineffective for imaging soft tissues. Sir Godfrey Hounsfield
invented the first CT scanner using x-ray technology at EMI Central Research Laboratories in
1967. The first patient brain CT was performed in Wimbledon, England in 1971, but it was
not made public until a year later. The first CT scanners were installed in the United States in
1973. By 1980, 3 million CT scans had been performed, and by 2005, that figure had risen to
over 68 million CT scans per year. "Portable/Mobile CT" scanners became popular in the
1990s. 90% of PET scanners were PET-CT fusion imaging scanners by 2005.
3. What are/is the limitations of Computed Tomography? Explain each.

Spatial resolution for a CT image is limited to the size of the pixel. Although MTF and spatial
frequency are used to describe CT spatial resolution, no imaging system can do better than
the size of a pixel. In terms of line pairs, one line and its interspace require at least two pixels.
CT scans are necessary for accurate staging and evaluation of tumor response. Some CT scan
limitations are: (1) Atelectasis blends with tumor in approximately half of the patients, thus
obscuring tumor boundaries; (2) CT numbers and contrast enhancement did not help to
differentiate between these two structures; and (3) Limited definition of CT scan prevents
investigation of suspected microscopic spread around tumor masses.
4. The scanning projections.

Shortly after the introduction of third-generation computed tomography, scanned

projection radiography was developed by CT vendors to facilitate patient positioning imaging
volume. It remains in use with virtually all current multislice helical CT imaging systems.
CT vendors give this process various trademarked, names, but SPR is similar for all.
The patient is positioned on the CT couch and then is driven through the gantry while the x-
ray tube is energized. The x-ray tube and the detector array do not rotate but are stationary,
and the result is a digital radiograph.
During the 1980s and the early 1990s, SPR was developed for dedicated chest DR.
The principal advantage of SPR was collimation to a fan x-ray with associated scatter
radiation rejection and improvement in image contrast.
5. What is Conventional Tomography?

Conventional tomography is called axial tomography because the plane of the image is
parallel to the long axis of the body; this results in sagittal and coronal images. A CT image is
a transaxial or transverse image that is perpendicular to the long axis of the body.
6. What is/are the Advantages of CT over Conventional Radiography.

The primary advantages of CT over conventional radiography are the elimination of

superimposed structures, the ability to distinguish small differences in density of atomic
structures and abnormalities, and the superior image quality.
7. Computed Tomography scanner generations. Explain each generations.

 First-generation imaging systems – can be considered a demonstration project. They

proved the feasibility of the functional marriage of the source-detector assembly,
mechanical gantry motion, and the computer to produce an image.
 Second-generation imaging systems – were also of the translate/rotate type. These
units incorporated the natural extension of the single detector to a multiple-detector
assembly, while intercepting a fan-shaped rather than a pencil-shaped x-ray beam.
 Third-generation imaging systems – uses a curvilinear array that contains many
detectors and a fan beam. The number of detectors and the width of the fan beam –
between 30 and 60 degrees – are both substantially larger than for second-generation
imaging systems. In third-generation CT imaging systems, the fan beam and the
detector array view the entire patient at all times.
 Fouth-generation imaging systems – Design for CT imaging systems incorporates a
rotate/stationary configuration. The x-ray source rotates, but the detector assembly
does not.
8. The system components of CT scanner. Define each.

 Gantry - The gantry is the ring-shaped part of the CT Scanner, housing many of the
components necessary to produce and detect x-rays. The components are mounted on
the rotating scan frame. The diameter of the opening or aperture varies in size, as does
the gantry as a whole. The aperture range size is usually 70-90 cm.

 Slip Rings - Today’s newer systems use electromagnetic devices called slip rings,
which use a brush-like apparatus that provides continuous electrical power and
electronic communication across a rotating surface. Slip rings allow the gantry frame
to rotate continuously. This eliminates the need to straighten system cables that would
get twisted. By allowing the gantry frame to continuously rotate, helical scan modes
are made possible.

 Cooling System - Cooling mechanisms are located in the gantry. They keep other
components from being affected by temperature fluctuations. However, they can take
different forms, including filters, blowers or devices that perform oil-to-heat
exchange.

 Generator - CT Scanners currently use high frequency generators. They’re designed to

be small enough to fit within the gantry. In the past, highly stable three-phase
generators were used. These stand-alone units were located near the gantry and
required cables. Generators produce high voltage and transmit it to the x-ray tube. The
power capacity of the generator (listed in kilowatts or kW) determines the range of
exposure techniques like kV and mA settings, which are available on a particular
system. The generator usually produces high kV (120-140 kV) to increase the beam
intensity and reduce patient dose. A higher kV setting helps reduce the heat load on
the x-ray tube by allowing a lower mA setting. By reducing the heat load on the tube,
the life of the tube will be extended.

9. What are the components of the gantry?

CT gantry was opened and sampled in each of the following components: (a) gantry case; (b)
inward airflow filter; (c) gantry motor; (d) x-ray tube; (e) outflow fan; (f) fan grid; (g)
detectors; and (h) x-ray tube filter. 
10. The cross-sectional view or image of a CT scanner. Define and label each parts.
Electron beam - Background Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) is a novel,
noninvasive method of detecting coronary artery calcification that is gaining popularity as a
diagnostic test for coronary artery disease (CAD).
Gun - The electron gun employs an electron emitter in the form of a dispenser cathode, a
mesh grid to control emission current, and two electrostatic lenses for beam shaping,
focusing, and deflection.
Focus coil - A coil that generates a magnetic field parallel to an electron beam in order to
focus it.
Deflection coil - The electron beam is deflected or tilted off-axis by the deflection coils.
DAS - CT scanners are powered by data acquisition systems (DAS). These systems convert
detector signals from analog to digital and prepare data for the scanner's reconstruction
system.
Detector ring - A ring or arc artefact in a CT scan is a hardware-related artefact caused by a
faulty or miscalibrated detector. Third-generation CT scanners with solid-state detectors are
more common.
Target rings - Fan beam are produced after being steered along tungsten target ring.
Patient table - A patient couch, also known as a patient table, is a platform on which the
patient lies while the procedure is being performed.