阅读说明：本技术 准直器组件及系统 (Collimator assembly and system ) 是由 罗纳德·沙普利斯 于 2019-09-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开了一种准直器组件。所述准直器组件可以包括位于扫描仪的辐射源和扫描洞之间的准直器。扫描洞可以包括探测区域,用于容纳待扫描对象。准直器可以被配置为防止从辐射源发射的辐射线的至少一部分射向待扫描对象。准直器组件可以进一步包括第一过滤器和第二过滤器。第一过滤器可以位于辐射源和准直器之间。第二过滤器可以位于准直器和扫描洞之间。第一过滤器和第二过滤器可以被配置为调节照射到待扫描对象上的辐射的分布。(The present application discloses a collimator assembly. The collimator assembly may include a collimator positioned between a radiation source of the scanner and the scanning bore. The scanning bore may include a detection region for receiving an object to be scanned. The collimator may be configured to prevent at least a portion of radiation emitted from the radiation source from being directed toward the object to be scanned. The collimator assembly may further include a first filter and a second filter. The first filter may be located between the radiation source and the collimator. A second filter may be located between the collimator and the scan hole. The first filter and the second filter may be configured to adjust a distribution of radiation impinging on the object to be scanned.)

1. A collimator assembly comprising:

a collimator located between a radiation source of a scanner and a scanning hole, the scanning hole including a detection region for receiving an object, the collimator configured to prevent at least a portion of radiation emitted from the radiation source from being directed toward the object;

a first filter located between the radiation source and the collimator; and

a second filter located between the collimator and the scanning bore, the first and second filters for adjusting a distribution of radiation impinging on the object.

2. The collimator assembly of claim 1, wherein the second filter includes a first surface facing the collimator, the first surface shape conforming to a shape of the collimator.

3. The collimator assembly of claim 2, wherein the second filter includes a second surface facing the scanning hole, the second surface conforming to a shape of the scanning hole.

4. The collimator assembly of claim 1, wherein the second filter is mounted in a housing surrounding the scanning bore.

5. The collimator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first filter includes a surface facing the collimator, the surface facing the collimator having a shape conforming to a shape of the collimator.

6. The collimator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises at least one of a butterfly filter or a wedge filter, and the second filter comprises at least one of a butterfly filter or a wedge filter.

7. The collimator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises a first material and the second filter comprises a second material, the first material or the second material comprising at least one of plastic, graphite, or aluminum, the first material being the same as or different from the second material.

8. The collimator assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a measurement assembly for determining at least one of an intensity of a radiation beam reaching the first filter or a position of the radiation source, a motion assembly for moving at least one of the collimator, the first filter, or the second filter, and a third filter, the third filter being a planar filter.

9. The collimator assembly of claim 8, wherein the first filter has a surface facing the radiation source, the surface being a concave surface, the measurement assembly being located in a space within the concave surface.

10. An imaging system, comprising:

the scanner comprises a radiation source and a scanning hole, wherein the scanning hole comprises a detection area used for accommodating an object to be detected; and

the collimator assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to medical imaging systems having collimator assemblies with short radial footprints.

Background

High-energy beams such as X-rays are widely used for medical diagnosis or radiotherapy in systems such as Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and the like. In many of these applications, collimators are commonly used to confine or collimate the high energy beam (e.g., X-rays) emitted by a radiation source. For example, in a CT system, a collimator assembly may be used to conform an X-ray beam emitted from an X-ray source, and the collimated X-ray beam may impinge an object to be scanned (e.g., a patient). A collimator assembly may be located between the X-ray source and a scanning bore for receiving an object to be scanned. The X-ray efficiency in this configuration is inversely proportional to the distance between the object and the X-ray source. In addition, a larger scanning bore is more desirable for accommodating the patient because the patient is more easily able to enter the scanning bore. The smaller the radial distance occupied by the collimator assembly, the smaller the distance between the object and the X-ray source, and the larger the scan hole can be designed. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that minimizes the radial footprint of the collimator assembly, thereby reducing the cost of purchase, operation, and maintenance of the system.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect of the present application, a collimator assembly is provided. The collimator assembly includes: a collimator, a first filter, and a second filter. The collimator is positioned between a radiation source of a scanner and a scanning hole, wherein the scanning hole includes a detection region for receiving an object, the collimator configured to prevent at least a portion of radiation emitted from the radiation source from being directed toward the object; the first filter is located between the radiation source and the collimator; the second filter is located between the collimator and the scanning bore, the first and second filters being for adjusting a distribution of radiation impinging on the object.

In some embodiments, the second filter comprises a first surface facing the collimator, the first surface shape conforming to the shape of the collimator.

In some embodiments, the second filter comprises a second surface facing the scanning hole, the second surface conforming to the shape of the scanning hole.

In some embodiments, the second filter may be integrated into a housing for enclosing the scanning bore.

In some embodiments, the first filter comprises a surface facing the collimator, the surface facing the collimator having a shape conforming to a shape of the collimator.

In some embodiments, the first filter may comprise at least one of a butterfly filter or a wedge filter.

In some embodiments, the second filter may comprise at least one of a butterfly filter or a wedge filter.

In some embodiments, the first filter comprises a first material and the second filter comprises a second material, the first material or the second material comprising at least one of plastic, graphite, or aluminum.

In some embodiments, the first material may be different from the second material.

In some embodiments, the first material may be the same as the second material.

In some embodiments, the collimator assembly may further comprise a measurement assembly for determining at least one of an intensity of the radiation beam reaching the first filter or a position of the radiation source.

In some embodiments, the first filter has a surface facing the radiation source, the surface being a concave surface, the measurement assembly being located in a space formed by the concave surface.

In some embodiments, the collimator assembly may further include a motion assembly for moving at least one of the collimator, the first filter, or the second filter.

In some embodiments, the collimator assembly may further include a third filter, which may be a planar filter.

In another aspect of the present application, a system is provided. The system may include a scanner including a radiation source and a scanning bore including a detection region for receiving an object to be examined; and a collimator assembly as claimed in any one of the above.

Additional features of the present application will be set forth in part in the description which follows. Additional features of some aspects of the present application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following description and accompanying drawings, or in view of the production or operation of the embodiments. The features of the present application may be realized and attained by practice or use of the methods, instrumentalities and combinations of the various aspects of the specific embodiments described below.

Drawings

The present application will be further described by way of exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments will be described in detail by means of the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are non-limiting exemplary embodiments in which like reference numerals represent similar structures throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary imaging system shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary scanner shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an exemplary collimator assembly shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly according to some embodiments of the present application; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present application may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, systems, components, and/or circuits have been described at a relatively high-level, diagrammatic, herein, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present application. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments and that the general principles defined in this application can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the principles and scope of the application. Thus, the present application is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, and/or groups thereof.

It is to be understood that the terms "system," "module," and/or "block" as used herein are a means for distinguishing, in ascending order, different components, assemblies, parts, portions, or combinations of different levels. However, these terms may be replaced by other expressions if they achieve the same purpose.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present application, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and description and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the application. It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale.

The present application provides a collimator assembly comprising: a collimator, a first filter, and a second filter. The collimator is positioned between a radiation source of a scanner and a scanning hole, wherein the scanning hole includes a detection region for receiving an object, the collimator configured to prevent at least a portion of radiation emitted from the radiation source from being directed toward the object; the first filter is located between the radiation source and the collimator; the second filter is located between the collimator and the scanning bore, the first and second filters being for adjusting a distribution of radiation impinging on the object.

The following description is provided to facilitate a better understanding of the systems and/or devices. This is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. A certain number of alterations, modifications and/or improvements may be deducted by a person having ordinary skill in the art in light of the present application. Those variations, changes, and/or modifications do not depart from the scope of the present application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary imaging system 100 shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, the imaging system 100 may include a scanner 110, a network 120, a terminal 130, a processing device 140, and a memory 150. In some embodiments, the scanner 110, processing device 140, memory 150, and/or terminal 130 may be connected to each other and/or in communication with each other via a wireless connection (e.g., network 120), a wired connection, or a combination thereof. The connections between components in the imaging system 100 may vary. For example, the scanner 110 may be connected to the processing device 140 through the network 120, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the scanner 110 may be directly connected to the processing device 140 through, for example, a data cable. The memory 150 may be connected to the processing device 140 through the network 120 or directly via a data cable. The terminal 130 may be connected to the processing device 140 through the network 120 or directly.

The scanner 110 can subject and generate imaging data. The subject scanned may be biological or non-biological. For example, the object may include a patient, an artificial object (e.g., a phantom for calibration), and the like. As another example, the subject may include a particular portion, organ, and/or tissue of a patient. For example, the subject may include the patient's head, brain, neck, body, shoulders, arms, chest, heart, stomach, blood vessels, soft tissues, knee shells, feet, and the like, or any combination thereof.

The scanner 110 may include a CT scanner, a PET scanner, a SPECT scanner, an X-ray or gamma-ray scanner, a multi-modality scanner, or the like, or any combination thereof. An exemplary multi-modality scanner may include a CT-PET scanner.

The scanner 110 may transmit the generated data to the memory 150, the processing device 140, or the terminal 130 through the network 120. For example, the scanner 110 may be used to scan an object (e.g., a patient) to obtain imaging data. In some embodiments, the scanner 110 may include a gantry, a radiation source, a collimator assembly, a detector, a scanning bed, and the like, or any combination thereof. The gantry may provide support for one or more components of the scanner 110. The gantry may include a scanning bore configured to receive a scanner for scanning an object (e.g., a patient). To perform a scan (or during radiation therapy), the radiation source 220 may emit a radiation beam (e.g., X-rays) toward the scan subject. The collimator assembly may be configured to filter and/or condition the radiation beam emitted by the (conformal) radiation source. The radiation beam impinges on the object and is detected by a detector to produce a medical image corresponding to the object. A collimator assembly may be located between the radiation source and the scan hole. The height (or thickness) of the collimator assembly affects the radial distance between the radiation source and the scan hole. Generally, the shorter the height of the collimator assembly, the smaller the radial distance occupied by the collimator assembly (i.e., the radial occupancy distance of the collimator), and the smaller the radial distance between the radiation source and the scan hole. The collimator assembly may include a first filter, an aperture device, and a second filter. The shape of the surface of the first filter facing the aperture arrangement may correspond to the shape of the aperture arrangement. The shape of the surface of the second filter facing the scanning aperture of the scanner may conform to the shape of the scanning aperture. The collimator assembly will occupy a shorter radial distance, resulting in higher radiation efficiency.

Network 120 may include any suitable network that may facilitate the exchange of information and/or data for imaging system 100. In some embodiments, one or more components of the imaging system 100 (e.g., the scanner 110, the terminal 130, the processing device 140, the memory 150) communicate information and/or data with one or more other components of the imaging system 100 over the network 120. For example, the processing device 140 may obtain data for imaging from the scanner 110 via the network 120. As another example, processing device 140 may obtain user instructions from terminal 130 via network 120. Network 120 may be and/or include a public network (e.g., the internet), a private network (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN)), a wired network (e.g., an ethernet network), a wireless network (e.g., an 802.11 network, a Wi-Fi network), a cellular network (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), a frame relay network, a virtual private network ("VPN"), a satellite network, a telephone networkA router, a hub, a switch, a server computer, and/or any combination thereof. By way of example only, network 120 may include a cable network, a wireline network, a fiber optic network, a telecommunications network, an intranet, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Bluetooth^TMNetwork purple bee^TMA network, a Near Field Communication (NFC) network, etc., or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, network 120 may include one or more network access points. For example, network 120 may include wired and/or wireless network access points, such as base stations and/or internet exchange points, through which one or more components of imaging system 100 may connect to network 120 to exchange data and/or information. For example only, a 3D image of processing device 140 may be retrieved from memory 150 via network 120.

The terminal 130 may include a mobile device 130-1, a tablet computer 130-2, a laptop computer 130-3, etc., or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mobile device 130-1 may include a smart home device, a wearable device, a smart mobile device, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the smart home devices may include smart lighting devices, smart appliance control devices, smart monitoring devices, smart televisions, smart cameras, interphones, and the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the wearable device may include a bracelet, footwear, glasses, helmet, watch, clothing, backpack, smart accessory, and the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mobile device may comprise a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the virtual reality device and/or the augmented reality device includes a virtual reality helmet, virtual reality glasses, virtual reality eyeshields, augmented reality helmets, augmented reality glasses, augmented reality eyeshields, and the like, or any combination thereof. For example, the virtual reality device and/or augmented reality device may include a Google Glass^TM、Oculus Rift^TM、Hololens^TM、Gear VR^TMAnd the like. In some embodiments, terminal 130 mayIs part of the processing apparatus 140. For example only, the terminal 130 may be configured to display 3D images. The terminal 130 may also be configured to send instructions for the object to the scanner 110. The terminal 130 may be further configured to send instructions for measuring the radiation intensity and/or the position of the radiation source.

The processing device 140 may process data and/or information obtained from the scanner 110, the terminal 130, and/or the memory 150. For example, the processing device 140 may obtain data for imaging from the scanner 110 and/or the memory 150. In some embodiments, the processing device 140 may be a workstation or a server. For example, the processing device 140 may be a single server or a group of servers. The server groups may be centralized or distributed. In some embodiments, the processing device 140 may be local or remote. For example, the processing device 140 may access information and/or data stored in the scanner 110, the terminal 130, and/or the memory 150 via the network 120. As another example, the processing device 140 may be directly connected to the scanner 110, the terminal 130, and/or the memory 150 to access stored information and/or data in some embodiments, the processing device 140 may be implemented on a cloud platform. By way of example only, the cloud platform may include a private cloud, a public cloud, a hybrid cloud, a community cloud, a distributed cloud, an internal cloud, a multi-tiered cloud, and the like, or any combination thereof.

Memory 150 may store data, instructions, and/or any other information. In some embodiments, memory 150 may store data obtained from terminal 130 and/or processing device 140. In some embodiments, memory 150 may store data and/or instructions that processing device 140 and/or terminal 130 may perform or be used to perform the exemplary methods described herein. In some embodiments, memory 150 may include mass storage, removable storage, volatile read-write memory, read-only memory (ROM), and the like, or any combination thereof. Exemplary mass storage devices may include magnetic disks, optical disks, solid state disks, and the like. Exemplary removable memories may include flash drives, floppy disks, optical disks, memory cards, compact disks, magnetic tape, and the like. Exemplary volatile read and write memories can include Random Access Memory (RAM). Exemplary RAM may include Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), thyristor random access memory (T-RAM), and zero capacitance random access memory (Z-RAM), among others. Exemplary ROMs may include mask-type read-only memory (MROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read-only memory, and the like. In some embodiments, the memory 150 may be implemented on a cloud platform. By way of example only, the cloud platform may include a private cloud, a public cloud, a hybrid cloud, a community cloud, a distributed cloud, an internal cloud, a multi-tiered cloud, and the like, or any combination thereof. The memory 150 may be configured to store information and/or data associated with the scanner 110 and/or the object. For example, the memory 150 may be configured to store instructions for controlling components of the scanner 110 (e.g., a collimator assembly). For another example, the memory 150 may be configured to store image data of an object detected by the scanner 110.

In some embodiments, the memory 150 may be connected to the network 120 to communicate with one or more other components of the imaging system 100 (e.g., the processing device 140, the terminal 130). One or more components of the imaging system 100 may access data or instructions stored in the memory 150 via the network 120. In some embodiments, the memory 150 may be directly connected to or in communication with one or more other components in the imaging system 100 (e.g., the scanner 110, the processing device 140, the terminal 130). In some embodiments, the memory 150 may be part of the processing device 140. For example only, the memory 150 may be configured to store 3D images.

The description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the application. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, the memory 150 may be a data storage comprising a cloud computing platform, such as a public cloud, a private cloud, a community and hybrid cloud, and the like. However, such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary scanner 110 shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. For simplicity, a CT scanner is used as an example of the scanner 110 for illustrative purposes. As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 110 may include a gantry (not shown), a radiation source 220, a collimator assembly 230, a scan bore 240, a detector 250, a scan bed or table (not shown), and the like.

The gantry may support a radiation source 220 and a detector 250. In some embodiments, the radiation source 220 and/or the detector 250 may be mounted on a gantry. In some embodiments, the radiation source 220 and/or the detector 250 may be movable or rotatable relative to the gantry. For example, the gantry may rotate around a rotation axis. The source 220 and/or the detector 250 may rotate as the gantry rotates. The axis of rotation may coincide with the centerline axis of the scanning hole.

The radiation source 220 may include an imaging source, a treatment source (e.g., an X-ray source, etc.), or a combination thereof. To perform a scan (or during radiation therapy), radiation source 220 may emit radiation beams (e.g., X-rays) such as rays 260 and 280 toward object 270. The subject 270 may be placed on a scanning bed in a scanning bore and located at or near the center of the gantry. At least a portion of the radiation beam (e.g., rays 280) emitted by the radiation source 220, after being attenuated by passing through the object 270, may strike the detector 250 and be received and detected by the detector 250.

The detector 250 may convert the received radiation beam into an electrical signal. The detector 250 may include one or more detector modules having an arcuate configuration that includes at least two pixels and/or channels. The pixels can detect the radiation beam and generate a signal. The pixels may be arranged in a single row, two rows, or any other number of rows. Each pixel may generate a signal in response to a measured radiation beam. The signals may have different properties (e.g., radiation amplitude). For example, when a radiation beam passing through a higher density of tissue (e.g., bone tissue) is measured, the signal may include a lower radiation amplitude. The detector 250 may have any suitable shape. For example, the shape of the detector 250 may be planar, arcuate (or fan-shaped), circular, etc., or a combination thereof. The fan angle size of the arc detector array may have any suitable value. For example, the fan angle may range in size from 0 ° to 360 °, 30 ° to 270 °, 45 ° to 300 °, and so forth. The fan angle size may be fixed or adjustable depending on different conditions, including, for example, the desired image resolution, the size of the image, the sensitivity of the detector, the stability of the detector, etc., or combinations thereof.

The collimator assembly 230 includes at least two collimator elements including, for example, at least one filter, an adjustable aperture device (also referred to herein as a collimator), a measurement device, or the like, or combinations thereof. The filter may comprise a flat filter, a butterfly filter, a wedge filter, etc., or any combination thereof. The filter may be configured to condition at least a portion of the radiation and/or the energy of the radiation to reduce the energy of the radiation, produce a uniform radiation intensity, or the like, or any combination thereof. For example, the planar filter may be configured to remove X-rays of a particular energy that are harmful to the subject and/or not beneficial for imaging. As another example, the butterfly filter may be used for low-dose X-ray imaging.

The adjustable aperture device may be configured to conform the radiation beam to a predetermined shape (or profile), such as a fan-shaped radiation beam. In some embodiments, the predetermined shape may be different according to different anatomical structures (e.g., head, chest, etc.). The predetermined shape may be set by a user or according to default settings of the imaging system 100 (e.g., scanning protocol, treatment plan, etc.).

The measurement device may be configured to determine the intensity of the radiation beam and/or the position of the radiation source. In some embodiments, the measurement device may include an intensity sensor (e.g., a radiation power meter or a radiation energy meter), a position sensor (e.g., a position sensitive detector), or the like, or any combination thereof. For example, the radiation power meter may comprise a probe, such as a thermal probe and/or a photodiode probe, to detect the radiation beam it receives from the radiation source. Also for example, position sensitive detectors include photoconductive detectors, photovoltaic detectors, schottky barrier diode detectors, and the like. In some embodiments, the measurement assembly may include one or more detectors similar or identical to detector 250. For example, the measurement assembly may include a single detector configured to detect the intensity of the radiation beam. Also for example, the measurement assembly may comprise several detectors arranged in an array or matrix. Several detectors arranged in an array or matrix may be arranged to measure the intensity of the radiation beam and the position of the radiation source.

The collimator assembly 230 may be located between the radiation source 220 and the scanning hole 240. The height (or thickness) of the collimator assembly 230 may affect the radial distance between the radiation source 220 and the scanning hole 240. Generally, the greater the height of the collimator assembly 230, the greater the radial distance occupied by the collimator assembly 230, and the greater the radial distance between the radiation source 220 and the scanning hole 240. Conversely, the smaller the height of the collimator assembly 230, the shorter the radial distance between the radiation source 220 and the scanning hole 240, and thus the higher the radiation efficiency. As used herein, the radial distance between the radiation source 220 and the scanning aperture 240 refers to the distance from the center of the radiation source 220 to the center of the scanning aperture 240. The height of the collimator assembly 230 refers to the distance between the upper surface of the collimator assembly 230 and the bottom surface (or lower surface) of the collimator assembly 230 along the radial centerline of the collimator assembly 230. The central axis of the collimator assembly 230 is transverse to the center of the radiation source 220 and the center of the scanning hole 240. In some embodiments, the height of the collimator assembly 230 is the radial footprint of the collimator assembly 230. In some embodiments, the collimator assembly 230 may include a first filter, an adjustable aperture device, and a second filter. The first filter and/or the second filter may comprise at least one butterfly filter. The shape of the surface of the first filter facing the adjustable aperture device may correspond to the shape of the adjustable aperture device. The shape of the surface of the second filter facing the scanning aperture 240 of the scanner 110 may conform to the shape of the scanning aperture 240. The collimator assembly 230 may occupy a shorter radial distance to have higher radiation efficiency. A detailed description of the collimator assembly 230 may be found elsewhere in this application (e.g., fig. 3-6 and their descriptions).

The above description is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. In some embodiments, the scanner 110 may further include an anti-scatter grid arrangement disposed between the scanning hole 240 and the detector 250. However, such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly 300, shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. For simplicity, the collimator assembly 300 may be described using the radiation source 320 and the scanning hole 350. As shown in fig. 3, the collimator assembly 300 may include a first filter 342, an aperture device 346, and a second filter 348. In some embodiments, the first filter 342, the aperture device 346, and/or the second filter 348 can be enclosed in a housing (not shown in fig. 3) and can be removable from the housing. In some embodiments, the first filter 342, the aperture device 346, and/or the second filter 348 can be moved or rotated within the housing using moving parts. For example, the aperture device 346 may be rotated in the housing according to the clinical condition of the scanned object (e.g., patient).

The first filter 342 may be configured to adjust the distribution of radiation irradiated onto the subject. For example, the first filter 342 may reduce the X-ray dose required for imaging. As another example, the first filter 342 may reduce the X-ray dose for treating the subject. The first filter 342 may include a butterfly filter and/or a wedge filter. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first filter 342 may decrease along the edge-to-center direction of the first filter 342. For example, if a large portion of the object to be imaged (or a region of interest) is located at the center of the scanning hole 350, the thickness of the object may decrease from the center portion of the object to the edge portion of the object. Accordingly, the thickness of the central region of the first filter 342 may be minimized, and the thickness of the edge region of the first filter 342 may be greater than that of the central region of the first filter 342. In some embodiments, first filter 342 may include a first surface facing radiation source 320 and a second surface facing aperture device 346. The shape of the first surface of the first filter 342 (i.e., the upper surface of the first filter 342) may conform to the size (size) and/or shape of the object to be scanned or some portion of the object to be scanned. The first surface may be concave as shown in fig. 3. In some embodiments, the space formed within the concave surface may be used to house other components of the collimator assembly 300, such as an X-ray intensity measurement device and/or attenuating materials. The shape of the concave surface or first surface may be determined based on a clinical condition such as the shape of the object (or region thereof) to be scanned, etc. For example, the length (denoted as L in fig. 3) of the first surface of the first filter 342 corresponding to the head of the human body may be less than the length of the first surface of the first filter 342 corresponding to the chest of the human body. In some embodiments, the length of the first surface of the first filter 342 may be adjusted according to the size and/or shape of the object (or region thereof). For example, the first surface of the first filter 342 may be stretchable or elastic. By way of example only, if the head of the subject to be scanned is the first filter 342 may be controlled by the processing device 140, for example, to adjust the first surface to a shorter length than the chest of the subject. Also for example, a plurality of first filters 342 having different combinations of first and second surfaces of various sizes may be included. When the object has a particular size and/or shape, a first filter 342 having a suitably sized first surface may be selected for placement in the collimator assembly 300.

The shape of the second surface of the first filter 342 facing the aperture device 346 may conform to the shape of the aperture device 346. For example, if the aperture device 346 is arc-shaped (e.g., the arc-shape shown in fig. 3), the shape of the second surface of the first filter 342 (i.e., the bottom surface of the first filter 342) may be arc-shaped corresponding to the arc-shape of the aperture device 346. As another example, if the shape of the aperture device includes a planar shape (e.g., the planar shape of the aperture device 446 shown in fig. 4), the shape of the second surface of the first filter 342 may be a planar shape corresponding to the planar shape of the aperture device (i.e., the bottom surface of the first filter 442 shown in fig. 4). In some embodiments, the first filter 342 comprises or is made of a first material capable of absorbing radiation, which may comprise at least one of plastic, graphite, metal (e.g., aluminum), the like, or combinations thereof.

An aperture device 346 (also referred to herein as collimator 346) may be used to collimate or conform the radiation beam emitted by the radiation source 320. For example, the aperture device 346 may prevent at least a portion of the radiation beam emitted from the radiation source 320 from being directed toward a subject (e.g., human tissue). Alternatively or additionally, the aperture device 346 may be used to conform the radiation beam to a predetermined shape (or profile), such as a fan of radiation. The predetermined shape may vary according to different anatomical structures (e.g., head, chest, etc.) of the scanned subject. The radiation beam collimated by the aperture device 346 may be projected onto at least a portion of the object. The area formed by the projected beam of radiation may conform to the shape of at least a portion of the object to prevent other portions of the object from being irradiated. In some embodiments, the aperture device 346 may form a specially shaped aperture. The radiation beam passing through the shaped aperture may be collimated into a predetermined shape corresponding to the particular shape of the aperture.

The second filter 348 may be configured to adjust the distribution of radiation impinging on the subject. A second filter 348 may be located between the aperture device 346 and the scanning aperture 350. In some embodiments, the second filter 348 may be integrated with the housing surrounding the scanning aperture 350. The radiation adjusted by the second filter 348 may have a uniform intensity after being absorbed by the subject. The second filter 348 may include a butterfly filter, a wedge filter, or the like. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second filter 348 may decrease along the edge-to-center direction of the second filter 348. For example, if a majority of the subject's portion to be imaged (or region of interest) is located in the center region of the scanning bore 350, the thickness at the center of the second filter 348 may be minimal, and the thickness at the edge regions of the second filter 348 may be greater than the thickness at the center region. In some embodiments, the second filter 348 can include a third surface facing the aperture device 346 and a fourth surface facing the scanning aperture 350. The third surface of the second filter 348 (i.e., the upper surface of the second filter 348) may be shaped to conform to the shape of the aperture device 346, such as an arc (e.g., the arc shown in fig. 3). The fourth surface of the second filter 348 (i.e., the bottom or lower surface of the second filter 348) may be shaped to conform to the shape of the scanning aperture 350. In some embodiments, the second filter 348 includes or is made of a second material capable of absorbing radiation, which may include at least one of plastic, graphite, metal (e.g., aluminum), etc., or any combination thereof. The second material may be the same or different from the first material. For example, the first filter 342 may comprise plastic and the second filter 348 may comprise aluminum. For another example, both the first filter 342 and the second filter 348 may comprise graphite.

In some embodiments, the height of the collimator assembly 300 (denoted as H in FIG. 3) may be between 8 and 20 cm. In some embodiments, the height range of the collimator assembly 300 may be limited to a range of 5.5 to 17.5cm or 5 to 17 cm.

The collimator assembly 300 may be located between the radiation source 320 and the scanning aperture 350. A first filter 342 may be located between the radiation source 320 and the aperture device 346 and a second filter 348 may be located between the aperture device 346 and the scanning aperture 350. There may be a physical gap between the second filter 348 and the scanning bore 350 such that the collimator assembly 300 may move or rotate relative to the scanning bore 350. In some embodiments, the collimator assembly 300 may be moved or rotated along with the radiation source 320 by rotating the gantry of the imaging system 100.

In some embodiments, the collimator assembly 300 may include a measurement assembly. The measurement assembly may be configured to, for example, determine at least one of an intensity of the radiation beam reaching the first filter 342 or a position of the radiation source 320. In some embodiments, the measurement assembly may include an intensity sensor (e.g., an X-ray power meter or X-ray energy meter), a position sensor (e.g., a position sensitive detector), or the like, or any combination thereof. For example, the X-ray power meter may comprise a probe, such as a thermal probe and/or a photodiode probe, to detect the radiation beam from the radiation source. Also for example, the position sensitive detector may include a photoconductive detector, a photovoltaic detector, a schottky barrier diode detector, or the like. In some embodiments, the measurement assembly may include one or more detectors similar to or the same as detector 250. For example, the measurement assembly may include a single detector configured to detect the intensity of the radiation beam reaching the first filter 342. Also for example, the measurement assembly may comprise several detectors arranged in an array or matrix. Several detectors arranged in an array or matrix may be used to measure the intensity of the radiation beam reaching the first filter 342 and the position of the radiation source 320. The measurement assembly may be located in a suitable position in the collimator assembly 300. For example, the measurement assembly may be located in a space of the first filter 342, such as in a concave surface formed by a first surface of the first filter 342 (i.e., an upper surface of the first filter 342).

In some embodiments, collimator assembly 300 may include a motion assembly (not shown). The motion assembly may be configured to move one or more components of the collimator assembly 300, such as the aperture device 346, the first filter 342, and/or the second filter 348. The moving component can move the aperture device 346, the first filter 342, and the second filter 348 separately or simultaneously. In some embodiments, the moving component may be integrated with the rotation of one or more other components (e.g., gantry) of the imaging system 100 into a unitary motion device.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned considerations for collimator assembly 300 are provided for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Many variations and modifications may be reduced to practice by those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. However, such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of the present application. For example, the collimator assembly 300 may include a planar filter (not shown in fig. 3) in addition to the first and second filters. The planar filter may be configured to reduce radiation having particular energies that are not conducive to imaging and are harmful to the subject (e.g., human tissue). As another example, the second filter 348 may be eliminated. In some embodiments, the configuration of the first filter 342 in the collimator assembly 300 may be different from that shown in fig. 3. For example, a first surface of the first filter 342 (e.g., a description of its shape and/or size) described above may face the aperture device 346, and a second surface of the first filter 342 may face the radiation source 320. The first surface of the first filter 342 may be embossed facing the radiation source 320. In some embodiments, the second filter 348 may not be integrated into the collimator assembly 300, but may be integrated into the scanning bore 350.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly 400 shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. For simplicity, the collimator assembly 400 may be described using a radiation source 420 and a scanning bore 450. As shown in fig. 4, the collimator assembly 400 may include a first filter 442, an aperture device 446, and a second filter 448, which may be similar to the first filter 342, the aperture device 346, and the second filter 348, respectively, described in fig. 3. For example, the first filter 442 may include or be made of a material capable of absorbing radiation, as with the first filter 342. Also for example, the first filter 442 and/or the second filter 448 may include a butterfly filter as the first filter 342 and/or the second filter 348, respectively.

The first filter 442 may include a first surface (i.e., a surface of the first filter 442) facing the radiation source 420 and a second surface (i.e., a bottom surface of the first filter 442) facing the aperture arrangement 446. The shape of the second surface may conform to the shape of the aperture arrangement 446. The second filter 448 can include a third surface facing the aperture device 446 (i.e., the top surface of the second filter 448) and a fourth surface facing the scanning cavity 450 (i.e., the bottom surface of the second filter 448). The third surface of the second filter 448 may be shaped to conform to the shape of the aperture arrangement 446. The shape of the fourth surface of the second filter 448 may conform to the shape of the scanning aperture 450.

The collimator assembly 400 shown in fig. 4 and the collimator assembly 300 shown in fig. 3 may differ in the configuration of their components (e.g., the shape and/or size of the first filter, the aperture device, and/or the second filter). For example, the shape of the first filter 342 and the first filter 442 may be different; the shape of the aperture device 346 and the aperture device 446 may be different; and/or the shape of the second filter 348 and the second filter 448 may be different. For example, the aperture device 346 of the collimator assembly 300 may comprise a curved shape or an arc shape, and the second surface of the first filter 342 and the third surface of the second filter 348 may also be curved or arc shaped. On the other hand, the aperture arrangement 446 of the collimator assembly 400 may comprise a planar shape, and the second surface of the first filter 442 and the first surface of the second filter 448 may both be planar.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly 500 shown according to some embodiments of the present application. For simplicity, the radiation source 520 and the scanning holes 550 are used to describe the collimator assembly 500. As shown in fig. 5, the collimator assembly 500 may include a filter 541 (also referred to herein as a third filter 541), a first filter 542, an aperture device 546, and a second filter 548, similar to the first filter 342, the aperture device 346, and the second filter 348, respectively, described in fig. 3. For example, the material of the first filter 542 may be the same as the material of the first filter 342. As another example, the shape and/or size of the second filter 548 may be the same as the shape and/or size of the second filter 348.

The collimator assembly 500 shown in fig. 5 and the collimator assembly 300 shown in fig. 3 differ in the configuration of their components (e.g., the shape and/or size of the first filter, the aperture device, and/or the second filter). For example, the collimator assembly 500 may further include a third filter 541. A third filter 541 may be located between the radiation source 520 and the first filter 542. The third filter 541 may be configured to reduce radiation of a specific energy that is not advantageous for imaging or harmful to an object (e.g., human tissue). In some embodiments, the third filter 541 may comprise any shape, such as a planar shape (as shown in fig. 5). In some embodiments, the third filter 541 may include or be made of a material that may remove (or filter) a portion of the radiation and/or absorb another portion of the radiation, which may include plastic, graphite, metal (e.g., aluminum), or the like, or any combination thereof. The material of the third filter 541 may be the same as or different from the material of the first filter 542 and/or the second filter 548.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary collimator assembly 600 shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. For simplicity, the radiation source 620 and the scanning aperture 650 are used to describe the collimator assembly 600. As shown in fig. 6, the collimator assembly 600 may include a first filter 642, an aperture device 646, and a third filter 648, which are similar to the first filter 342, the aperture device 346, respectively, described in fig. 3. For example, the first filter 642 may, like the first filter 342, comprise or be made of a material capable of absorbing radiation. Also for example, the first filter 642 may comprise a butterfly filter, as with the first filter 342.

The first filter 642 may include a first surface facing the radiation source 620 (i.e., an upper surface of the first filter 642) and a second surface facing the aperture device 646 (i.e., a bottom surface or lower surface of the first filter 642). The shape of the second surface may conform to the shape of aperture device 646.

The collimator assembly 600 shown in fig. 6 and the collimator assembly 300 shown in fig. 3 may differ in the configuration of their components (e.g., the shape and/or size of the first filter, the aperture device, and/or the second filter). For example, the shape of the aperture device 646 of the collimator assembly 600 may conform to the shape of the scanning aperture 650, and the second surface of the first filter 642 may form a convex surface as shown in fig. 6. On the other hand, the second surface of the first filter 342 may be concave, as shown in fig. 3. Collimator assembly 600, on the other hand, may include a filter between aperture device 646 and scan hole 650, and may include a third filter 648 between radiation source 620 and first filter 642. The third filter 648 is used to reduce the energy of radiation that is detrimental to imaging or harmful to the subject (e.g., human tissue). The third filter 648 may be any shape, such as a planar shape (as shown in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the third filter 648 includes or is made of a material that can remove a portion of the radiation and/or absorb another portion of the radiation, which can include plastic, graphite, metal (e.g., aluminum), and the like, or any combination thereof. The material of the third filter 648 may be the same as or different from the material of the first filter 642. For example, the first filter 642 may comprise plastic, the third filter 648 may comprise aluminum, or both the first filter 642 and the third filter 648 may comprise graphite.

Having thus described the basic concepts, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having read this application that the foregoing disclosure is to be construed as illustrative only and is not limiting of the application. Various modifications, improvements and adaptations of the present application may occur to those skilled in the art, although they are not explicitly described herein. Such modifications, improvements and adaptations are proposed in the present application and thus fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present application.

Also, this application uses specific language to describe embodiments of the application. For example, "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and/or "some embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, it is emphasized and should be appreciated that two or more references to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" or "an alternative embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, certain features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments of the application may be combined as appropriate.

Similarly, it should be noted that in the preceding description of embodiments of the present application, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the embodiments. This method of application, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Indeed, the embodiments may be characterized as having less than all of the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.