Patent ID: 7050529
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A computed tomographic (CT) imaging system for performing a CT scan, said CT system comprising: an x-ray source emitting a spectrum of x-rays; a detector array comprising a plurality of detector cells arranged in rows, said detector array including detector cells that are at least one of manufactured from different materials that are sensitive to different portions of the x-ray spectrum or coated with different scintillating materials that are sensitive to a different portion of the x-ray spectrum; a plurality of alternating discrete filters and air paths in pairs oriented in a Z-direction configured so that individual detector rows receive filtered or unfiltered x-ray beam data; a gantry for rotating said x-ray source and said detector array; a table for translating an object between said x-ray source and said detector array; and a processor operationally coupled to said detector array, and as an object being imaged and said filter and air path pairs move relative to one another in the Z-direction, said processor configured to: receive first data regarding a first x-ray spectral range from a first detector cell from a scan with an x-ray source pitch of one detector cell such that the x-ray source advances relative to the table one detector cell per revolution; receive second data regarding a second x-ray spectral range different from the first x-ray spectral range from a second detector cell different from the first detector cell; perform a first spectral analysis at a time T as said relative motion in a Z-direction continues, perform subsequent spectral analyses using different said filter and air path pairs to determine dynamic information of the movement of the analyte.