Abstract: A rotation frame supports an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector to be rotatable about a rotation axis. A top plate support mechanism supports the top plate on which a sample is placed to be movable along the rotation axis. A scan controller drives the top plate support mechanism and the rotation frame so as to scan a plurality of scan areas either partially overlapping or being adjacent along the rotation axis with the X-rays. A reconstruction processor generates a plurality of volume data sets corresponding to the plurality of scan areas on the basis of the output from the X-ray detector. A boundary corrector corrects CT values of the plurality of volume data sets on the basis of CT value differences between the overlapping or adjacent portions of the plurality of volume data sets.

Abstract: An X-ray detection system has a detector and a data acquisition unit. The detector detects an X-ray passing through a body and producing an analog electric signal for each channel. The data acquisition unit includes a plurality of circuit blocks each including as many circuits as the number of channels assigned to each block. The data acquisition unit converts the analog electric signal into a digital signal for each channel and outputs the resultant digital signal. A phase control unit controls the phase of the circuit blocks such that the circuit blocks are grouped into a plurality of groups. The respective groups operate in synchronization with clock signals for the data acquisition unit. Phases of the clock signals are mutually different at least between two groups.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus configured to assist an operator in easily and correctly making an imaging plan thereby reducing the burden of the operator. The computed tomography apparatus selects at least one of reconstruction methods or changes a parameter by the information the operator inputs or displays its grade information, for example.

Abstract: There is provided an X-ray detection system comprising a detector and a data acquisition unit. The detector detects an X-ray passing through a body being examined and producing an analog electric signal corresponding to the X-ray for each channel. The data acquisition unit includes a plurality of circuit blocks each including as many circuits as the number of channels assigned to each block. The data acquisition unit converts the analog electric signal output from the detector into a digital signal for each channel and outputting the resultant digital signal and a phase control unit controlling the phase of the circuit blocks of the data acquisition unit such that the circuit blocks are grouped into a plurality of groups and the respective groups of circuit blocks operate in synchronization with clock signals whose phase are different at least between two groups.

Abstract: An X-ray CT (computed tomography) scanner includes a gantry for collecting projection data about a patient, a reconstruction portion for reconstructing multislice image data or volumetric image data from the projection data at a given matrix size, a storage portion for storing the reconstructed image data, an input portion for entering a user's instruction regarding magnification or demagnification of image, and an image processing portion for converting the matrix size of the stored image data into a matrix size corresponding to the user's instruction and varying the image slice thickness of the stored image data into an image slice thickness corresponding to the user's instruction.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, a high voltage generator which generates a high voltage to be applied to the X-ray tube, an X-ray detector having a plurality of X-ray detection element lines, a scanogram generating unit which generates a scanogram on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector, a reconstructing unit which reconstructs an image on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector, a tube current determining unit which determines a tube current value on the basis of the pixel values of a plurality of pixels included in a two-dimensional partial region of the scanogram, and a control unit which controls the high voltage generator on the basis of the determined tube current value.

Abstract: An X-ray CT (computed tomography) scanner includes a gantry for collecting projection data about a patient, a reconstruction portion for reconstructing multislice image data or volumetric image data from the projection data at a given matrix size, a storage portion for storing the reconstructed image data, an input portion for entering a user's instruction regarding magnification or demagnification of image, and an image processing portion for converting the matrix size of the stored image data into a matrix size corresponding to the user's instruction and varying the image slice thickness of the stored image data into an image slice thickness corresponding to the user's instruction.

Abstract: This invention provides an X-ray CT apparatus which can be mounted in a motor vehicle, trailer, or container, including locking mechanisms for locking at least some of the movable portions of the X-ray CT apparatus, detectors for detecting the locking/unlocking states of the locking mechanisms, and a notifying unit for representing the states of the locking mechanisms on the basis of outputs from the detectors. Collision of an unlocked movable portion with its periphery during traveling can be avoided.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus configured to assist an operator in easily and correctly making an imaging plan thereby reducing the burden of the operator. The computed tomography apparatus selects at least one of reconstruction methods or changes a parameter by the information the operator inputs or displays its grade information, for example.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, a high voltage generator which generates a high voltage to be applied to the X-ray tube, an X-ray detector having a plurality of X-ray detection element lines, a scanogram generating unit which generates a scanogram on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector, a reconstructing unit which reconstructs an image on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector, a tube current determining unit which determines a tube current value on the basis of the pixel values of a plurality of pixels included in a two-dimensional partial region of the scanogram, and a control unit which controls the high voltage generator on the basis of the determined tube current value.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided to display images in an image-display order complying with a desired scan direction in performing a multi-scan. The system is realized by, by way of example, an X-ray CT scanner. The diagnostic system has a display unit, an element performing scanning with an object to acquire data therefrom, an element producing a plurality of images from the data in a production order, an element displaying on the display unit the plurality of images in a display order, and an element for setting the production order or display order. The production or display order is set in accord with a scan direction along which the slice positions are moved every scan. The production order is, for example, a reconstruction order of the images. The image reconstruction based on the reconstruction order results in that images are displayed in that order, i.e., in an order complying with the scan direction. Of course, the display order itself is set, the images are displayed in that order, i.e.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray source for generating X-rays, a detector having detector elements laid out in a plurality of rows in a body axial direction of an object on a couch for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object, and a helical data collector that collects helical data while at least one of a gantry and the couch is moved by a moving device along a body axial direction of the object on the couch in a state that at least one of the gantry and the couch is tilted. A data processor is further provided that reconstructs an image by interpolating the helical data collected and converting it into parallel beam data that is tilt corrected.

Abstract: Upon successively acquiring a plurality of tomographic images of an identical patient, and displaying them time-serially, the display mode of images is changed. More specifically, the display order of images is switched in correspondence with the standing position of the observer. The standing position of the observer can be automatically detected. The aperture width of a precollimator is controlled in accordance with the setups of images of interest/non-interest, and data from predetermined detection element arrays are bundled in accordance with the setups. At least one of a plurality of reconstructed tomographic images and a specific image undergo a differential process to generate and display a differential image. The pixel values of at least one of a plurality of reconstructed tomographic images are compared with a predetermined threshold value to generate and display an image consisting of only pixels that have exceeded the threshold value.

Abstract: This invention provides an X-ray CT apparatus which can be mounted in a motor vehicle, trailer, or container, including locking mechanisms for locking at least some of the movable portions of the X-ray CT apparatus, detectors for detecting the locking/unlocking states of the locking mechanisms, and a notifying unit for representing the states of the locking mechanisms on the basis of outputs from the detectors. Collision of an unlocked movable portion with its periphery during traveling can be avoided.

Abstract: A multi-slice X-ray CT scanner is provided to realize high resolution and a wide scanned region in a slice-thickness direction for an object. In the X-ray CT scanner, an X-ray beam for slice imaging is radiated toward an object and scanned in a predetermined slice-thickness direction, a direction orthogonal to the slice-thickness direction being defined as a channel direction. The scanner comprises a two-dimensional X-ray detector, a data acquisition system, and an electrically combining unit. The detector has a plurality of X-ray detecting elements arranged in a two-dimensional array of both rows in the slice-thickness direction and columns in the channel direction, the detecting elements of each row being arranged in unequal pitches. The data acquisition system has a plurality of data acquiring elements arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns, acquiring signals detected by the two-dimensional X-ray detector, and producing digital data proportional to the detected signals.

Abstract: Only an umbra of an X-ray beam is allowed to enter a designated detecting device arrays of an X-ray detector, whereby stable and good X-ray detection signals and images are provided. Even if a focal spot in an X-ray tube shifts, occurrence of artifacts or shifts of CT numbers is prevented to improve image quality. An X-ray CT scanner comprises an X-ray tube and X-ray detector, which are opposed to each other with a patient lying down on a couchtop between them, and a pre-collimator inserted between the X-ray tube and patient for restricting the width in a slice direction of an X-ray beam irradiated by the X-ray tube. The X-ray detector consists of, for example, a two-dimensional detector in which a plurality of detecting device arrays are arranged in the slice direction, each detecting device array including a plurality of detecting channels.

Abstract: A magnetic head height changing apparatus is disclosed which is provided with a cam mechanism with a cam surface and claws, a pulley or gear device driven by a motor or fly-wheel and movable or rotatable to engage with or disengage from the cam mechanism, a first engaging device bearing a magnetic head and engageable with the cam mechanism, a second engaging device for locking the pulley or gear device when it is spaced from the cam mechanism, and an operating device for operating the second device. With the disclosed magnetic head height changing apparatus, when the second device is operated by the operating device to release the locking of the pulley or gear device and to make it contact with the cam mechanism to rotate the same by a predetermined value, the second engaging device again locks the pulley or gear device to stop the rotation of the cam mechanism to hold the magnetic head at a predetermined height.