Meetings » 2nd CTUG Meeting » A comparison of the design features of multi-slice CT scanner models

A comparison of the design features of multi-slice CT scanner models

Anne Hill, Maria Lewis, Sue Edyvean

ImPACT, St George's Hospital, London

Abstract

Since the introduction of CT scanning into clinical practice in the early 1970s, the technology has matured greatly. The latest innovation, multi-slice CT scanning, allows the simultaneous imaging of four slices in a single rotation. This, together with reduced rotation times, results in decreases in examination time of up to a factor of seven, for a similar image quality as a single slice, 1-second scanner. A significant number of multi-slice systems are already in clinical use world-wide. In the UK four systems had been installed by November 1999, and it is anticipated that this figure will increase rapidly. Four CT manufacturers currently offer multi-slice scanners, based on three different design principles. Due principally to variations in the detector array design and rotation drive mechanism, the systems have varying capabilities with respect to the length imaged in a single rotation, range of slice widths available and rotation speed. The scanners also have differing specifications for reconstruction times and x-ray tube heat capacity, as well as for the standard image quality and dose parameters. The various multi-slice scanner designs are presented and their capabilities compared. Implications of the design principles on image quality and dose are discussed.

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