Patent ID: 7515679

Claim:
A cone beam computed tomography system, comprising: a support structure comprising an arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the arm is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis; an x-ray source attached to the first end of the arm at an angle in a range of about 2 to 20 degrees from the vertical axis and adapted to rotate therewith about the vertical axis; an x-ray detector attached to the second end of the arm at an angle in a range of about 2 to 20 degrees from the vertical axis and adapted to rotate therewith about the vertical axis; wherein the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are spaced apart to enable an anatomical target to be interposed between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector for cone beam computed tomography scanning, such that the x-ray source and the x-ray detector do not interfere with the target during scanning.