INTRODUCTION TO CT

(Part 1)
 Computed Tomography Principles

 Learning Objectives
o Understand and define CT scan
o Name the principal parts of a CT scanner
o Discuss the function of each CT scanner component
o Understand CT scan generations
Computed Tomography Principles
 Computed Tomography, CT for short (also referred to as
CAT, for Computed Axial Tomography), utilizes X-ray
technology and sophisticated computers to create images
of cross-section “slices” through the body.
 CT exams and CAT scanning provide a quick overview of
pathologies and enable rapid analyses and treatment plans.
Computed Tomography Principles
 Tomography is a term that refers to the ability to view an
anatomic section or slice through the body.
 Anatomic cross sections are most commonly refers to
transverse axial tomography.
 CT scanner was developed by Godfrey Hounsfield in the
very late 1960s.
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS

Gantry
 Which is the ring shaped part of the scanner that the
patient who lies on the table goes through.
 The gantry houses the x-ray tube , radiation detectors,
the data acquisition system (DAS), collimators and
other components.
 It support the patient within a central opening termed
the gantry aperture through which the table goes
during scanning
 It have the ability to move forwarded and backward +/-
30
(A) CT Detectors (B) X-ray Tube (C)Tube cooling system
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS

X-ray Source
It produces the x-ray photons that create the CT image,
the anode material is made of Tungsten with atomic
number of 74 to produce a higher intensity x-ray beam.
0.5 and 1.0 focal spot size is used. The smaller one
produces sharper images but it cannot tolerate as
much heat
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS
Cooling System
It is included in the gantry with different forms such as
blowers, filters or devices that perform oil-to-air heat
exchange.
Cooling mechanism is important because many imaging
components can be affected by temperature fluctuation.
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS
Filtration
Compensating filters are used to sharp the x-ray beam.
It helps to reduce the range of x-ray energies that reach
the patient by removing the soft x-rays which are
absorbed by the patient and increasing the radiation
dose but do not contribute to the CT image.
It also helps in creating a more uniform beam intensity
and this improves the CT image quality by reducing
artifacts
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS
Collimation
Collimators restrict the x-ray beam to specific area there
by reducing scatter radiation which can reduces the
image quality and increasing patient's radiation dose.
Source or pre-patient collimator affects the radiation
dose, image quality and slice thickness
Post-patient or pre-detector do not affects patient dose
but affects the image quality and slice thickness.
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS

The patient table Patient table

 Provides movement at specific
programmed intervals between the
tube and detectors during scanning.
 The process of moving the table is
most commonly called
incrementation but also referred to as
feed, step or index.
Computed Tomography Principles
Gantry /Table Characteristics
 APERTURE
 TILTING RANGE
 COORDINATE SYSTEM
 ISOCENTER
 MAX. SCANNABLE RANGE
Computed Tomography Principles
 APERTURE

Most of the scanners have 70cm aperture

Computed Tomography Principles
Tilting Range

TILTING RANGE OF MOST SCANNERS +30 TO -30

DEGREES
Computed Tomography Principles
Coordinate System

X axis
Computed Tomography Principles
Coordinate System

Y axis
Computed Tomography Principles
Coordinate System

Z axis
 Computed Tomography Principles

isocenter
The convergence of the three
axes of rotation
Computed Tomography Principles

MAX. SCANNABLE RANGE

The range to which CT table
can move horizontally, it will
determine the extent a
patient can be scanned
without repositioning
 CT MAIN SYSTEMS
The Operator control console
This include monitor(s) connected to the
CPU.The control includes the following
•Control for the exposure factors
•Slice thickness
•Scan directions
•Data entry
•Image reconstruction
•Scan / body part selection
•Control displays and viewing of
radiographic images
Other variables
Operation console
CT SCAN GENRATIONS
1st Generation: Translate-Rotate
A rotating gantry is needed so
that the patient can lie on an
imaging table and the x-ray
source and detector will rotate
around the patient.
This generation no longer exist.
2nd Generation: Translate-Rotate
2nd CT was a refinement on first
generation CT but still using the
same general concepts. The
translate and rotate acquisition
was still used but while 1st
generation CT had only one x-ray
source and detector, in 2nd
generation CT there was a small
fan beam appeared that enabled
more coverage than just one
detector (5-53 detectors at a
time).
This generation no longer exist.
3rd Generation: Rotate-Rotate
A significant improvement from
2nd generation CT to 3rd
generation CT where the
translation of source within each
view was eliminated by having a
fan-beam shaped x-ray beam
acquiring all the data (for a slice)
within each view. Both the x-ray
source and x-ray detector are
rotating together. Using a rigid
ring the x-ray tube and detector
can be mounted such that they
rotate around the patient.
This generation is the base for
modern CT scan technology
4th Generation:
Rotate-Stationary
The 4th generation CT
geometry is considerably
different from 3rd
generation geometry in
that the x-ray detectors
surround the entire
circle.
The x-ray source rotates
in 4th generation CT and
the detector is stationary.
5th Generation: Stationary-Stationary
The final generation of CT which is truly a different acquisition method is that of
5th generation CT. In 5th generation CT both the x-ray source material and the
detector are stationary. The x-tube in this design is a scanning x-ray tube, where the
electrons are steered magnetically rather than physically moving the x-ray tube.
This method allows for very fast acquisitions and is ideal for cardiac scanning.