Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the operation of a CT scanner during a scanning procedure. A radiation outputting system is configured to output radiation during an imaging phase of the scanning procedure. The subject support (patient table) of the CT scanner is controlled to move linearly, e.g. according to some predetermined linear pattern, during this imaging phase. The linear movement of the subject support includes at least one acceleration and/or deceleration phase. At least a beam width of radiation output by the CT scanner is controlled throughout the imaging phase responsive to the speed of the subject support.

Abstract: A computed tomography system (100) includes an x-ray source (112) that rotates about an examination region (108) and translates along a longitudinal axis (120). The x-ray source (112) remains at a first location on the longitudinal axis (120) while rotating about the examination region (108), accelerates to a scanning speed and performs a fly-by scan of a region of interest (220) in which at least one hundred and eighty degrees plus a fan angle of data is acquired. At least one detector (124) detects x-rays radiated by the x-ray source (112) that traverses the examination region (108) and generates signals indicative thereof. A reconstructor (132) reconstructs the signals to generate volumetric image data.

Abstract: A computed tomography system (100) includes an x-ray source (112) that rotates about an examination region (108) and translates along a longitudinal axis (120). The x-ray source (112) remains at a first location on the longitudinal axis (120) while rotating about the examination region (108), accelerates to a scanning speed and performs a fly-by scan of a region of interest (220) in which at least one hundred and eighty degrees plus a fan angle of data is acquired. At least one detector (124) detects x-rays radiated by the x-ray source (112) that traverses the examination region (108) and generates signals indicative thereof. A reconstructor (132) reconstructs the signals to generate volumetric image data.

Abstract: A third generation CT scanner includes a rotating x-ray source (18) and a detector array (16). Each sampling of the detector array generates a source fan data line of data values that are converted (34) to attenuation values in a logarithmic domain and subject to preliminary corrections (36). Attenuation values from a plurality of adjoining source fans are converted (94) back to a non-logarithmic domain as intensity values. A corresponding deconvolution function (88) from a deconvolution function look-up table (90) corresponding to the detector whose intensity value is being corrected is deconvolved with a line (84) of the intensity values which spans a plurality of adjoining source fan data lines to remove the intensity attributable to off-focal radiation (30). The intensity data is converted (102) back into attenuation values in the logarithmic domain and reconstructed (106) into an image representation for display on a monitor (112).