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4407925
4407925
Multi-Slice CT
Third Generation CT
Single or Multislice
Z-axis orientation
perpendicular to page
Patient
Single Slice Thickness Determined by Collimation
Detector
Single-Slice Detectors
Many detectors rotate
around patient
Single row in z-direction
Slice thickness determined
by collimation
Z-Axis
Single Slice CT: Slice Thickness
Collimated Beam Thickness Collimated Beam Thickness
Thin
slice
Thick
slice
Z-Axis Z-Axis
Multi-slice CT
Tube
Post-collimator
Detectors
What’s Different for Multislice CT?
Multislice CT
Multiple rows of
detectors
Open
collimators in
“Z” direction
3 4
12
http://www.veterinary-imaging.com/
images/MSS_CT.gif
Multi-slice CT
Developed in late
1990’s
Detector array
segmented in z-
direction
Simultaneous
acquisition of
multiple slices
http://www.ctisus.com/gallery/images/
multidetector/multislice_ct.jpg
Single Slice vs. Multislice Detector
Collimated Beam Thickness
Single slice Multislice
detector detector
Z-Axis
Multi-Slice Detectors
Many detectors going around patient
Many detector rows in z-direction
Slice thickness determined by
Collimation
electronic detector selection
“Z” Direction
Single Multi
Multi-slice CT
Size & distribution of detectors in non-axial
direction similar to previous CT’s
Similar spatial & contrast resolution
Distribution of detectors in axial direction
varies with manufacturer
All detectors
same width Variable widths
“Z”
Direction
Multi-slice CT
Uniform Detector Thickness
Multiple detectors in axial
“z” direction
direction
Size must accommodate
thinnest slice
Detector signals can be used 1 2 3 4
Individually Four thin slices
In groups
1 2 3 4
16 detectors
4 channels
Multi-Slice Detector Example
16 Detector Rows, 4 Channels
Detectors vs. Channels
4 X 1.25 mm
Beam collimated to 4
detector rows
1 detector row per DAS
channel
Effective
Detector
Detectors vs. Channels
4 X 2.5 mm
Beam collimated to 8
detector rows
2 detector rows per DAS
channel
Effective
Detector
Detectors vs. Channels
4 X 3.75 mm
Beam collimated to 12
detector rows
3 detector rows per DAS
channel
Effective
Detector
Detectors vs. Channels
4 X 5 mm
Beam collimated to 16
detector rows
4 detector rows per DAS
channel
Effective
Detector
Capture Efficiency
Fraction of detector area
that is active detector
Equal-width Detectors
Disadvantage
Many gaps
Gaps are dead space
Reduce capture
efficiency
Multi-slice CT
“Adaptive Array Detectors”
“z” direction
Some scanners use
detectors of various
widths
1 2 3
Post-collimators Three thicker slices
used to partially Post-
collimators
block wider
elements for
thinner slices
1 2 3 4
Four thinner slices
Variable Width Detectors
Center detectors
thinner
Thicker
detectors can
function as
thinner ones
using
collimation
Thinner
detectors can
function a
thicker one by
combining
signals
Single Slice Pitch Definition
table motion during one rotation
Slice Pitch = ---------------------------------------
slice thickness
Beam Pitch
Defined only for Multi-slice scanners
table motion during one rotation
Beam Pitch = ---------------------------------------
Beam thickness
Beam thickness
Beam Pitch
Defined only for Multi-slice scanners
5 mm slices
4 simultaneous
table motion during one rotation
slices
Beam Pitch = --------------------------------------- Beam pitch = 1
Beam thickness 1 revolution / sec.
Beam thickness?
Table speed?
Beam Thickness
5 mm slices
4 simultaneous
table motion during one rotation
slices
Beam Pitch = --------------------------------------- Beam pitch = 1
Beam thickness 1 revolution / sec.
Beam Thickness = 5 X 4 = 20 mm
Table Speed
5 mm slices
4 simultaneous
table motion during one rotation
slices
Beam Pitch = --------------------------------------- Beam pitch = 1
Beam thickness 1 revolution / sec.
20 mm beam
thickness
Rotational Tube
Center
Detector Field must be Larger than Slice
Thickness at Rotational Center
Rotational
Center
Beam Divergence More of a Problem for
Multi-Slice
Rays diverge
No longer
essentially parallel
Leads to Cone Angle
Artifact
Significant for 16, 32,
64 … data channels
Requires use of
special reconstruction
algorithms to
compensate
Multislice CT Doses
Can be 10-30% higher than for single slice units (ICRP
#47)
Cause
Divergent beam
Other considerations
Tendency to cover more volume (anatomy)
Better availability of equipment
Other Reasons for High CT Doses
Repeat Exams
No adjustment of technique factors for different size
patients
No adjustment for different areas of body
Multislice CT Advantage?
Speed!
Single slice / Multislice Images about the
same!
Speed = Power
Speed enables new applications
How do we spend our new speed?
Multi-slice CT Imaging
Clinical Advantages
1. Thinner slices for improved z-direction resolution
2. Same acquisition in shorter time
3. Scan larger volumes in same time
Multi-slice CT Imaging
Clinical
Advantages
Thinner slices
Improvement in CTA of neck, aorta, renal vessels
Better reconstructions
Sagittal, coronal, oblique
3-D
Fundamental Trade-off
“z” axis resolution vs. image noise
Multi-slice CT Imaging
Clinical Advantages
Improved x-ray tube utilization
Reduced x-ray tube loading
4 slices acquired with same tube loading previously used
for 1
Less need to pause of tube cooling
1. Beam Pitch
2. Rotation Time
3. Detector
Acquisition Length
64 Slice CT Typical Coverage Times
Heart & coronary arteries / brain / lungs
5 seconds
Whole body coverage for blood clot search
30 seconds
Philips
64-Slice Commercial Cardiac CT
IGE Philips Siemens Siemens Toshiba
(1 tube) (2 tube)
Min. Rotation Time (s) .35 .53 .33 .33 .4
www.impactscan.org
What’s Next?
Slice Wars
Philips Toshiba
256 Slicer 320 Slicer
Implications of 256+ Slices
Full organ coverage in single rotation
12-16 cm coverage
Improved temporal resolution
Reduced artifacts
Whole-organ function (perfusion) studies
Functional data perfectly registered to anatomic data
The Future
More slices
Flat panel area detectors
???
Multi-slice challenges: More Slices
Computer issues
More archival capacity
Requires faster computer systems
Requires faster communications for remote viewing
Radiologist responsible for all images
Acknowledgement
Many drawings obtained from www.impactscan.org
website