Multiple fan beam computed tomography system

Abstract

A CT scanner includes a stationary gantry (A) defining an examination region (,) and a rotating gantry (C) which rotates about the examination region. Multiple fan beam generators (B), each capable of producing a beam of radiation directed through the examination region, are mounted to the rotating gantry. The radiation beams are collimated (,) into a plurality of parallel thin fan shaped beams (,) that are projected through the examination region. X-rays are detected by at least an arc of x-ray detectors (,) or a plurality of parallel rings of detectors (,). The detectors generate signals indicative of the radiation received which are processed by a reconstruction processor (,) into a volumetric image representation for display on a monitor (,). In one embodiment, the signals are reconstructed into a series of spaced parallel slices. The object is indexed and additional slices are collected and reconstructed between previously reconstructed slices. In another embodiment, the region of interest moves such that each beam traverses a spiral path spanning one of a plurality of contiguous slabs. The multiple fan beam generators may be contained within a single elongated x-ray tube (,). Alternatively, the multiple fan beams can be generated by a plurality of angularly displaced x-ray tubes.