computed tomography and hybrid imaging

What is the gantry? (CT)

A ring like structure that houses the key components including the x-ray tube and detector array

What is the couch? (CT)

The couch is made of carbon fibre which is radiolucent, prior to the examination the height and longitudinal movement must be adjusted for centring

• what does the x-ray tube do? (CT)

• what is slip ring technology?

• rotates 360 degrees around the patient using slip ring technology

• allows continuous rotation of the x-ray tube without cables becoming tangled)

what are the two types of collimators? (CT)

• pre-patient collimators limit the area being exposed reducing the dose given to the patient

• pre-detector collimators reduce scatter and improve contrast

what does the filter do? (CT)

removes low energy photons that do not contribute to image acquisition.