Computed Tomography Machine

Medirays Corporation 6.
1
The Computed Tomography system - GE Prospeed series
THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM

1. Introduction
Computed tomography is a medical imaging technique, which employees tomography, where
digital geometry processing is used to generate a three dimensional image of an object from a
large series of two dimensional image taken around a single axis of rotation. In computed
tomography, the image is made by viewing the patient via x- ray imaging from numerous angle,
by mathematically reconstructing the detailed structures and displaying the reconstructed
image on a video monitor.
Fig41. GE Prospeed CT system

2. History
At the Annual Congress of the British Institute of Radiology, in April of 1972, G.N.Hounsfield, a
senior research scientist at EMI Limited in Middlesex, England, announced the invention of a
revolutionary new imaging technique, which he called “computerized axial transverse
scanning.” The basic concept was quite simple a thin cross section of the head, a tomographic
slice, was examined from multiple angles with a pencil-like x ray beam. The transmitted
radiation was counted by a scintillation detector, fed into a computer for analysis by a
mathematical algorithm, and reconstructed as a tomographic image. The image had a
remarkable characteristic, one never before seen in an x ray image: it demonstrated a
radiographic difference in the various soft tissue; blood, gray matter, white matter,
cerebrospinal fluid, tumors, and cerebral edema all appeared as separate entities. The soft
tissues could no longer be assigned the physical characteristics of water. The computer had
changed that concept.
Computed tomography has had many names, each referring to at least one aspect of the
technique. Two of the more popular names are computerized axial tomography (CAT) and
Medirays Corporation 6.2
computed (computerized) tomography (CT). CT is currently preferred as computed

tomography.
Like most great discoveries, CT was the end product of years of work by numerous
investigators. An Austrian mathematician J.Radon, working with gravitational theory, proved in
1917 that a two or three dimensional object could be reproduced from an infinite set of all its
projections. Thus, the mathematical concept was established 55 years before the production of
a commercial CT scanner. Workers in several unrelated fields were all struggling with a similar
problem. In 1963 understood the concept of computed tomography and built laboratory
models. Kuhl and Edwards in 1968 built a successful mechanical scanner for nuclear imaging,
but did not extend their work into diagnostic to put a CT system together and demonstrate its
remarkable ability.
Fig 42. GE prospeed CT machine

3. Principles of CT:
It is basically a technique of X-ray photography by which a single plane of a patient is scanned
from various angles in order to provide a cross-sectional image of the internal structure of that
plane. The principal of CT is the measuring of the spatial distribution of physical material to be
examined from different directions and to compute superposition free images from this data. It
is basically a technique of X-ray photography by which a single plane of a patient is scanned
from various angles in order to provide a cross-sectional image of the internal structure of that
plane.
For conventional radiography, the relative distribution of X-ray intensities is what is being
measured. Figure 1 demonstrates how this is achieved. An X-ray source of intensity Io is used
to send uniform intensity X-rays through a patient. The X-rays then exit the other side with an
intensity of I(x, y) and interact with a radiography film sheet. The exiting X-rays are attenuated
by the varying material densities that they pass through. The different paths through the
material will attenuate the X-rays by varying amounts, based only on the mass attenuation
coefficient (μ), since the distance (d) is the same on all point of the radiography film. It is this
variance that is recorded by the two-dimensional radiography film and is shown as lighter or
darker contrasts.
Fig43. Typical radiography concept
This process has some limitations. Specifically, the image captured is a two dimensional
representation of three dimensional anatomy. As a result, structures are overlapping on the
image and make positional details hard to see. Another limitation is that the mass attenuation
coefficients for tissues do not vary greatly. Thus, it is difficult to resolve some internal
structures. However, computed tomography (CT) provides solutions to these limitations.
The principle of CT is to have many measurements of attenuation through the plane of a finite-
thickness cross section of the patient. Figure 2 shows this concept. An X-ray source is used to
scan a patient along this plane, while a detector on the opposite side measures the attenuated
X-rays along this plane and the computer records this capture. Once the patient has been
scanned from one side of the plane to the other side, both X-ray source and detector rotate
around the patient by a predetermined amount and the translational scan is repeated. The
internal components of the patient are interpreted by the computer as a group of small
volumes, each with their own average mass attenuation coefficient. These volumes are called
voxels (like pixels on a TV screen). The smaller the voxel volume, the higher the resolution of
the image.
Fig44. CT cross-sectional measurement

Fig45.The CT scanner
In order to generate an image of the cross section, the computer must attempt to calculate the
average mass attenuation coefficients (μ) of each of the voxel volumes. This could be
determined algebraically with a very large number of simultaneous equations, however a
simpler method called filtered back-projection was used in the early CT scanners and remains in
use today. X-ray scans are collected in sets called projections, which are made across the
patient in a particular direction in the section plane. To reconstruct the image from the X-ray
measurements, each voxel must be viewed from multiple different directions. A complete data
set requires many projections at rotational intervals of 1° or less around the cross section. Back-
projection effectively reverses the attenuation process by adding the attenuation value of each
X-ray in each projection back through the reconstruction image. This requires a significant
computer power to quickly generate the patient image. Because this process initially generates
a blurred image, the data from each projection are mathematically altered (filtered) prior to
back-projection to eliminate the blurring.
CT generations
The general classification of computed tomography (CT) scanners based upon the arrangement
of components and the mechanical motion required to collect the data. The term generation
has been applied because of the order in which the CT scanner designs have been introduced,
and each has a number associated with it. However, one should not assume that a higher
generation number necessarily means a higher performance system.
First generation: In the first CT scanner design, a single X-ray

source and a single X-ray detector cell collect all the data for
a single slice. The source and detector are rigidly coupled and
the pencil beam is translated across the patient to obtain a
set of parallel projection measurements at one angle. The
source/detector pair is then rotated slightly and a
subsequent set of measurements are obtained during a
translation past the patient. This process is repeated once for
each projection angle. Because of the translation and
rotation process, this geometry is referred to as a
translate/rotate scanner.
Fig46. First generation
Second generation: Because the X-ray source emits radiation

over a large angle, the efficiency of measuring projections
was greatly improved by using multiple detectors. The
detectors all lie within the scan plane but are not necessarily
contiguous nor do they span the entire diameter of the
object. The source and the array of detectors are translated
as in a first generation system, but since the beam measured
by each detector is at a slightly different angle with respect
to the object, each translation step generates multiple
parallel ray projections. Because multiple projections are
obtained during each traversal past the patient, the 2nd
generation scanner is significantly more efficient and faster
than the original 1st generation scanner. This generation is Fig47. Second generation
also referred to as a translate/rotate scanner.
Third generation: With improvement in

detector and data acquisition technology, it
was possible to design a detector array with
enough, high spatial resolution cells to allow
the simultaneous measurement of a fan-beam
projection of the entire patient cross-section.
With such a large detector, it is no longer
necessary for the detector-tube assembly to
translate past the patient. Instead, the tube-
detector assembly simply rotates around the
object. The imaging process is significantly
faster than 1st or 2nd generation systems.
However, very high performance detectors are
needed to avoid ring artefacts and the system
is more sensitive to aliasing than 1st or 2nd
Fig48. Third generation
generation scanners. Because the tube and
detector both rotate, this generation is often
referred to as rotate/rotate scanner geometry.
Fig49. Internal view of gantry

Fourth generation: Contemporary with the development of viable third generation,

rotate/rotate, systems and to avoid the sensitivity to ring artefacts, a design was developed
using a stationary detector ring and a rotating X-ray tube. Because the reduced motion seemed
consistent with a reduction in complexity, this geometry is known as the fourth generation. The
stationary detector requires a larger acceptance angle for radiation, and is therefore more
sensitive to scattered radiation than the 3rd generation geometry. Fourth generation
geometries also require a larger number of detector cells and electronic channels (at a
potentially higher cost) to achieve the same spatial resolution and dose efficiency as a 3rd
generation system. This system is sometimes referred to as a rotate-stationary or rotates only
geometry.
Fig50. Fourth generation

Several other CT scanner geometries which have been developed and marketed do not
precisely fit the above categories. However, there is no agreed-upon generation designation for
them. In a fourth generation scanner, the detector ring is outside the circular path of the X-ray
source. A CT system design was developed in which a circular detector ring is inside the source
trajectory. This reduces the size of the detector array and may lead to a more compact system.
In this system, the detector array nutates so that the detectors do not obstruct the X-rays as
they pass from the source to the object (nutating detector ring). In some texts, this is referred
to as a fifth generation system. It can also be called a rotate-nutate scanner.
The cine CT system has no mechanical scanning motion. In this system both the X-ray detector
and the X-ray tube anode are stationary. The anode, however, is a very large semicircular ring
that forms an arc around the patient scan circle, and is part of a very large, non-conventional X-
ray tube. The source of X-rays is moved around the same path as a fourth generation CT
scanner by steering an electron beam around the X-ray anode. Because the electron beam can
be moved very rapidly, this scanner can attain very rapid image acquisition rates. In the
literature, this system has been referred to variably as fifth generation and sixth generation. It
has also been described as a stationary-stationary scanner. The terms millisecond CT, ultrafast
CT and electron beam CT have also been used, although the latter can be confusing since the
term suggests that the patient is exposed to an electron beam.
Slip rings
Varying
thickness
Contacts
Fig51. Slip ring technology
Fig52. Contacts on the slip ring
Slip-ring technology has had a great impact on CT system performance and utilization. Whereas
most previous conventional CT systems used a cable-take-up mechanism to deliver electrical
power to the X-ray tube (and could rotate through perhaps 400-600 degrees before it had to
stop), use of a slip-ring allows the continuous rotation of the X-ray tube (and the detector
assembly if appropriate). While not as fast as the cine CT scanner described above, these slip-
ring scanners can attain sub-second image acquisition rates, zero interscan delay, and are
compatible with helical scanning or spiral CT scanning (see helical CT scanner). They are
generally referred to as slip-ring versions of their respective (e.g. third or fourth) generations.
Speed and spatial resolution have been significantly improved recently with the development of
multisection CT technology. The multisection capability has been created by dividing each
detector element into several smaller sub-elements. Each sub-element has its own complete
data acquisition electronics.
Fig53. Internal view of gantry

Table 3: Characteristics of various generations of CT

CT Prospeed systems:
The CT prospeed system is a continuous rotation gantry type CT scanner which uses low voltage
slip rings for power and signal transmission. The different units of a CT scan machine are
Gantry
Patient table
Power distribution unit
Operator console
Stabilizer
The basic system is equipped with a magnetic optical disk unit on the operator console,
additionally customer can also purchase advanced windows diagnostic console and Ethernet
interface.
Data Processing System (DPS):

Central processor (data storage unit)
Image/ reconstruction processor
Interface for operator and component.
The data processor system consists mainly five boards as follows:
1. CPW (Central Processor of DPS) :-
It controls data transfer between storage units (hard disks) and memory devices (on
IPU2 board).
It also controls entire scan sequence and sends required information to relevant
components and receives status information from those components via MISC2 board.
2. IPU2 (Image/Reconstruction processor):-

It contains 64 bit microprocessor and 96Mb memory which is used for raw data during
high rate scans (helical scans) and for image reconstruction.
The processor does reconstruction for stored data on memory according to the CPW
processor instruction.
3. DISP2 (Image display):-

It has an image frame buffer and image overlay function to generate video display data
which is converted from digital to analog.
It also contains DAS data buffer for receiving DAS data from DAS IF board and sending it
to IPU2 board.
4. MISC2 (Interface between CPW and other boards)

It provides the no of interface between CPU and other components such as touch panel,
controller, multiformat camera, key board trackball, scanning station (TGP board on
gantry) or scan panel switches/LEDs
5. SPBU (Back projection)

It operates as a back projection unit under IPU2 board control
6. IPA (Image reconstruction processor/accelerator)

It is used instead of SPBU for fast image processing and reconstruction.
Up to two IPA boards can be installed on the OC.
Storage units:
A 3.5inch hard disk holds operating system software, several system parameters, calibration
data, patient image data and raw data. A 5 inch MOD to load system software are archived
image data, raw data and to save system parameters. The floppy disk drive is used for loading
option software, or using the boot floppy disk.
SCAN STATION:
1. GANTRY:
It contains x-ray tube, generator, collimator, detector, DAS, table gantry processor(TGP
board)
The axial drive motor, rotates the x-ray tube, generator, collimator, detector, DAS assembly
during axial scan.
The gantry hydraulic pump and cylinders can tilt the gantry frame +/- 25° from vertical.
2. TABLE:
It is a unit of CT machine where patient lies down to take a scan.
A stepping motor moves the table in longitudinal direction (in/out) and a hydraulic pump
raises or lowers (up/down) the table.
3. X-RAY GENERATOR:
The x-ray generator supplies DC power to x-ray tube to make x-ray exposure.
It contains circuit board for kV control, rotor control, filament, current control, and overall
control of the generator system
It contains HV tanks, invertors for kV generation, rotor power module including an inverter
4. COLLIMATOR:
It consists of removable bowtie filter and the aperture assembly
The filter shapes the x-ray beam intensity. The aperture regulates x-ray beams slices
thickness to 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm or 10mm at the isocentre.
5. DETECTOR:
It converts x-ray intensities which are received by the detector into electrical signals.
It uses total of 813 channels.
6. DAS(data acquisition system):

The data acquisition system charges the signals from the detector, then converts , digitizes
and transfer the data to the data processing system.
7. X-RAY TUBE:
The XG subsystem provides DC high voltage, together with filament heating current, to
the x-ray tube.
It also provides power for anode rotation.
X-ray need 120 kv and output currents as 40mA, 60mA, 80mA, 100mA, 130mA, 160mA.
The Sytec system uses a rotating anode x-ray tube.
The heat exchanger and x-ray tube are mounted separately on the gantry.
The tube contains an anode (target), cathode as filament, rotor, stator coil, and
temperature sensors and the anode rotates at 10,000 revolutions per minute.
The stator coil produces the magnetic field that induces a current in the copper rotor.
The stator coils and rotor work as an induction motor.
The filament is the source for electrons in the x-ray tube.
The tube current increases as the filament current increases.
The anode is biased positive with respect to ground and the cathode is biased negative.
To get 120 kV high potential x-ray voltage, during an exposure, they are biased to +60 KV
and -60 KV
Fig54. Different CT tubes

PDU (POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT):

PDU receives the network power supply and distributes electric power to all sub-systems of CT
systems.
PDU is available in two forms:
1. P9180AB/AF: It provides regulated 550VDC output.
2. 2121798: It provides non-regulated 700VDC output.
The PDU provides
1. Regulated (550VDC) or non-regulated (700 VDC) for inverters (kV and rotor) of x-ray
generator and to slip rings.
2. From slip rings it goes to inverter of cathode and anode and CTVRC
3. 200 VAC, 3-Φ for servo amplifier and gantry.
4. 100VAC, 1-Φ for operator console.
5. 115VAC, 1- Φ for table, gantry tilt, the control components like TGP boards and IGBT
driver circuits.
6. The output of IGBT is AC which goes to HV tank and in the HV tank it is stepped up using
transformer and rectified to DC. This DC supply is then given to the x-ray tube.
WARM-UP ROUTINE:
The system requires warm-up routine to warm-up the x-ray tube just after the power on prior
to starting the first scan or when 3 hours have elapsed since the last scan. The warm-up routine
also should be performed before performing phantom calibration which updates the calibration
files (CAL files).
The following series of scans are performed during the warm-up sequence.
Two scans without data collection - (2.0 sec, rotate, 1mm thickness, 80kV, 80mA)
Four scans without data collection - (2.0 sec,rotate,1mm thickness,120kV, 100mA)
15 scans without data collection - (2.0 sec,rotate,1mm thickness,120kV, 200mA)
1 scan with data collection – (3.0 sec, stationary,10mm thickness,120kV, 60mA)
Fig55. Interface of TGP board with OC

TGP Board:
It is the subsystem controller of gantry
It has two microprocessor that receive commands and data from the scan processor and
execute corresponding task.
Both processors communicates through serial links
TGP board issues commands to and receive status from the components it controls such
as axial drive control, tilt control, cradle in/out, table elevation, collimator control, das
control, hv on control.
Filament Current Control:

The current is adjusted by the variable resistor and is regulated by CVT.
There are rough adjustment resistors to adjust current.
The sensibility of the rough adjustment is 11 times of the fine adjustment.
Adjust the variable resistor which is set in series with the variable resistors for rough
adjustment and fine adjustment, and the current at all technique can be adjusted at the
same time.
Disconnect the connector of the adjusting panel and connect the other variable resistor to
the connector, then the current can be adjusted from external.
The filament current detecting circuit operates when more than 0.18 A current flows
through the primary side of the filament transformer.
Scan Operation:
This section describes the system operating during scan.
Each scan sequence has the following three phase.
1. Scan preparation
That is to set the scan parameters. It includes kv, mA, slice thickness, scan time, slice
interval, and cradle in out.
Fig56. Scan Preparation

2. Data collection
That is to perform a scan. As scan is initiated data collection is initiated after pressing the
start button.
Prior to the actual X-ray exposure, the system gathers 64 view of the electronic offset data
from the DAS. It uses these offset to correct the actual X-ray data.
The system performs a full 360 degree scan in clockwise and counter clockwise at the 3 or
5 sec and rate, and collects 648 views of data per scans.
It can also perform a 228 degree partial scan in same clock and counter clock wise at the 2
second rate, and collect 410 view of data per scan. The sampling rate depends upon the
scan speed: 3msec/view for 2 or 3 second scan, 5 ms/view for 5 second scan.
3. Data processing
As the data is collected in the DAS the DAS memory transfers the collected data (raw data)
to the console.
The das memory outputs raw data to the FPU and on the hard disk. The FPU process the
data and outputs it to the back projection unit.
The BPU performs the back projection and send it back to FPU.
The FPU performs the post-processing and produces the image data.
The FPU compresses the image data, stores it on the hard disk.
When auto mode display is selected, the FPU transfers the image data to the display
image on the CRT monitor.
Image Reconstruction:
The 3 phases of CT Image Reconstruction are as follows
(1) Scan Phase

CT machines use various methods of acquiring the necessary projection data to produce a CT
image. These methods are classified in terms of their scan geometry about the object.
Fig57. Scan phase in image reconstruction

For example, in medicine, 2nd generation CT systems are generally used which operate a
translate/rotate scan geometry about the object, whereas most industrial systems use a 3 rd
generation configuration involves the use of cone beam projections and the object under study
being placed on a rotating manipulator. This enables the system to collect the many angles of X-
ray attenuation data or X-ray projections needed to perform CT reconstruction.
Fig58. Slice images
(2) Image Reconstruction

In this phase specialised algorithms are used to reconstruct a 2D image from the set of X-ray
projections, known as the sinogram, produced during the scan phase. In other words,
complicated algorithms are used to reconstruct the distribution of the X-ray attenuation data to
produce a digital image.
The most common algorithm used for this process is the Filtered Back Projection method,
which calculates from this set of 1D sinogram lines a reconstructed 2D image.
Back projection is the mathematical process of obtaining the digital image from the projection
data or sinogram, but if it is not filtered in some way, results in a very noisy image, hence the
use of Filtered Back Projection
The CT image is now digital in the form of a matrix of pixels, and a part of the reconstruction
process is the calculation of CT numbers for each image pixel
The CT numbers are calculated from the X-ray attenuation data for each individual voxel first
calculated in the reconstruction process.
X-ray attenuation depends on both the density and atomic number (Z) of materials and the
energy of the X-ray photons. Therefore, the density of the materials determines the CT
numbers. So for all practical purposes, the CT image is an image of the densities of the material.
(3) Visible Image Formation

In this phase the digital image, consisting of a matrix of pixels with each pixel having an
assigned CT number is converted into a visible image represented by different shades of grey.
Each number represents a shade of grey with +1000 (white) and -1000 (black) at either end of
the spectrum.
Patient Preparation:
Patients should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing for their CT exam. Patient preparation
for a CT examination involves removing any articles of clothing or jewellery that might degrade
the CT images, such as belts, earrings, bras, glasses, dentures, hairpins, etc. Zippers and snaps
common in many clothes can also cause image degradation. In some cases, the patient may be
asked to wear a patient gown (such as CT imaging of the body).
Many CT examinations require the oral or intravenous administration of a contrast agent, a
liquid material that enhances the images of the organs and/or blood vessels. CT imaging
examinations that require the patient to receive iodine contrast injection may cause slight,
temporary discomfort while the intravenous needle is placed.
Patients should inform the radiologist or technologist if they have a history of allergies
(especially to medications, previous iodine injections, or shellfish), diabetes, asthma, a heart
condition, kidney problems, or thyroid conditions.
Also, many CT exams require the patient to hold their breath several times. This helps to
eliminate blurring from the images, which can be caused by breathing or other patient motion.
Pregnant women should not have a CT exam or any x-ray examination, especially if the woman
is in her first trimester (first of three-3 month periods of pregnancy). Also, patients are
instructed to wait for 24 hours after receiving the CT contrast injection before breast feeding
again.
Advantages
As mentioned in previous sections, CT imaging provides detailed views of soft tissues, bones
and blood vessels. It can eliminate invasive exploratory surgeries such as laparotomy,
thoracotomy, and invasive endoscopy such as colonoscopy. It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool
which is considered highly accurate, fast, simple, and cost effective. CT scan can identify
internal bleeding and injuries which are essential for treatment of trauma patients. It is also
frequently used in assisting surgical biopsies for confirmation of certain diseases.
Disadvantages
Despite the many benefits mentioned above, several hazards and disadvantages are present
with CT imaging. One of the main hazards of CT imaging is the risk of allergic reaction
(nephrotoxicity) to the contrast agent which may cause itching, hives or swelling of body parts.
CT imaging involves exposure to small amount of ionized radiation which is considered a hazard
for pregnant women and children. CT scanning may also involve uncomfortable body posture in
order to obtain imaging of the desired body part. In addition, due to the physical shape of the
CT equipment, claustrophobic patients may experience anxiety. Furthermore, early detection
of diseases with CT scan may lead to more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy or
radiotherapy which may cause more serious side effects than if diseases were diagnosed based
on symptoms. Early detection of diseases is also not 100% accurate. Hence, it may lead to
confirmatory procedures, such as invasive biopsies, that in fact may not be necessary.
Next generation Nano CT system:
Fig59. Next Generation Nano CT

In 1991, Ge Wang produced the first paper on spiral cone-beam computed tomography (CT),
now an imaging technique used in the mainstream of the medical CT field. Today, Wang,
known as a pioneer in this field, and his colleagues have been awarded more than $1.3
million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop the next-generation nano-CT
imaging system, which promises to greatly reduce the required dose of radiation. Virginia
Tech and Xradia, a leading nano-CT company, are also collaborating on the project with a
cost-sharing investment of close to $800,000. CT is an imaging method that shows objects by
sections or sectioning, through the use of x-ray waves and computer processing.
X-ray nano-CT is a cutting edge imaging tool, Wang said, but a long-standing barrier to
realizing its full potential is its inability to precisely reconstruct an interior region of interest
within a larger object from purely local projections.
Wang, the Samuel Reynolds Pritchard Professor of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has a
scholarly record of achievements in the imaging world. More than 1000 scientific citations are
attributed to his groups pioneering efforts. In 2002, for example, he and his research group
pioneered another highly sensitive imaging procedure called bioluminescence tomography
(BLT). One application of the in vivo molecular imaging technology became the identification
of tumors in live animals.
As an additional example, in 2007 he and his collaborators, Yangbo Ye of the University of
Iowa and Hengyong Yu, who is the associate director of Wang CT lab, patented a novel x-ray
imaging method called interior tomography.
Interior tomography, Wang said, was a first step towards overcoming the long-standing
barrier to realizing the full potential of x-ray nano-CT. Despite the ability of this cutting-edge
imaging tool as a non-destructive, non-invasive recorder of information, it cannot precisely
reconstruct an interior region of interest within a large object from purely local projections,
Wang said. And, when used in medicine, a patient is subjected to a radiation dose that must
be increased dramatically to obtain improved resolutions.
Wang suggested to the NSF that the combination of X-ray nano-CT and interior tomography
will provide a versatile nano-imaging tool that can visualize fine features within a larger
object, and use a much lower radiation dose and in much less time. This new work is the
foundation of the NSF project.
Working with Wang on this NSF grant are Chris Wyatt, associate professor of electrical and
computer engineering, Linbing Wang, associate professor of civil and environmental
engineering, and Yu, all at Virginia Tech. Also, David Carroll, associate professor of physics at
Wake Forest University, is a member of the team. On the industrial side, the key collaborators
are Steve Wang, S. H. Lau and Wenbing Yun.
Together, they believe they can construct this next generation of a nano-CT imaging system
that will provide images that will reveal deeply imbedded details, including sub cellular
features. And, they believe they can handle a sample that is ten times larger than what is
currently available, and at much reduced radiation dose, Wang explained.
Wang, director of the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering
Sciences' biomedical imaging division is also the founding editor-in-chief of the International
Journal of Biomedical Imaging. He is the associate editor of the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Transactions on Medical Imaging and others.
SBES is part of the University Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS).
ICTAS has already developed a state-of-the-art nanoscale characterization and fabrication
laboratory with capabilities on par with the best nanotechnology labs in the world. With his
high-end 500 nanometer micro-CT system, newly funded by the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), Wang is making efforts to build an advanced multi-scale CT facility in synergistic
combination with the existing university resources as shown in the following chart.
We are realizing our dream to establish the world’s most advanced comprehensive multi-
scale and multi-parameter CT facility, Wang said. The use of the facility will be available to
other universities and industry.
An academic partnership already exists between Virginia Tech and Xradia. Xradia is already in
talks with Virginia Tech about commercializing the next generation nano-CT system.
Applications of CT:
CT can provide detailed cross sectional images and diagnostic information for nearly every
part of the body including:
The brain, vessels of the brain, eyes, inner ear, sinuses.
The neck, shoulders, cervical spine and blood vessels of the neck.
The chest, heart, aorta, lungs, mediastinum.
The thoracic and lumbar spine.
The upper abdomen, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas and other abdominal vessels.
The pelvis and hips, male and female reproductive system, bladder, and GI tract.
The skeletal system including bones of the hands, feet, ankles, legs and arms and jaws.
Fluoro CT’ is more like a video camera (or x-ray fluoroscopy) and allows acquisition and
immediate display of up to 9 images per second. It is used to guide a number of minimally
invasive, micro-therapy procedures:
Drainage of fluid collections such as cysts, abscesses (pus), lymphoceles (lymph fluid),
bilioma (bile), haematomas (blood), for example, to remove fluid from an infection or
wound.
Diagnostic biopsy to remove a tissue sample for pathologic or cytologic lab testing.
Pain therapy, for example, the injection of therapeutic agents into a spinal disk space to
alleviate pain.
Minimally invasive operation, for example, cyst removal or ablation (cutting away) of
tumours (such as brain tumours).
Dynamic study of knee or elbow motion, swallowing or study of the larynx.
CT arthrogram (injection of contrast into joint space for easier diagnosis of injury).
Guidance of embolization to stop bleeding, for example, in liver and spleen trauma
Monitor difficult endoscope placement, for example in the gastrointestinal tract
COMPARATIVE STUDY
Comparison of SIEMENS Somatom Sensation 64 CT Scanner to GE Prospeed S CT Scanner
SIEMENS Somatom
Parameter GE Prospeed S
Sensation 64
Max Generator Output Power 70 kW 24 kw
Tube Current Range 28 – 580 mA 60,80,100,130,160,200 mA
Tube Voltage Range 80, 100, 120, 140 kV 80, 120, 140 kV
Anode Heat Storage Capacity 30 MHU 2 MHU
Anode Cooling Rate 5 MHU/min 820 KHU/min
Gantry Aperture 70 cm 68 cm
Gantry Tilt ± 30° ± 25°
Rotation Time (360°) 0.33, 0.37, 0.5, 1.0 s 2, 3.5 sec
Vertical Table Range 53 – 102 cm 40 – 100 cm
Elevation Speed 2.5 – 45 mm/s 15 – 20 mm/s
Horizontal Scannable Range 1570 mm 920 mm
Maximum Table Load 450 lbs 400 lbs
Table Speed 1 – 150 mm/s 15 mm/s and 55 mm/s
Number of Slices per Scan 64 1
Number of Detector Elements 26880 635
Number of Projections 4640 648
Table 4: Comparison between Siemens Somaton and GE Prospeed S

Computed Tomography Machine

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Computed Tomography Machine

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Medirays Corporation 6.

THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM

Fig41. GE Prospeed CT system

computed (computerized) tomography (CT). CT is currently preferred as computed

Fig 42. GE prospeed CT machine

Fig43. Typical radiography concept

Fig44. CT cross-sectional measurement

First generation: In the first CT scanner design, a single X-ray

Fig46. First generation

Second generation: Because the X-ray source emits radiation

Third generation: With improvement in

Fig49. Internal view of gantry

Fourth generation: Contemporary with the development of viable third generation,

Fig50. Fourth generation

Fig51. Slip ring technology

Fig52. Contacts on the slip ring

Fig53. Internal view of gantry

Table 3: Characteristics of various generations of CT

Data Processing System (DPS):

2. IPU2 (Image/Reconstruction processor):-

3. DISP2 (Image display):-

4. MISC2 (Interface between CPW and other boards)

5. SPBU (Back projection)

6. IPA (Image reconstruction processor/accelerator)

6. DAS(data acquisition system):

Fig54. Different CT tubes

PDU (POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT):

Fig55. Interface of TGP board with OC

Filament Current Control:

Fig56. Scan Preparation

(1) Scan Phase

Fig57. Scan phase in image reconstruction

Fig58. Slice images

(2) Image Reconstruction

(3) Visible Image Formation

Next generation Nano CT system:

Fig59. Next Generation Nano CT

Table 4: Comparison between Siemens Somaton and GE Prospeed S

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