JPH08187240A - Computed tomography system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a CT of a helical-scan type using a two-dimensional array detector, which can form a reconstructed image having little artifact by a simple process. CONSTITUTION: In a computed tomography apparatus which collects projection data by a helical scan using a two-dimensional array detector 11, approximate projection data of an X-ray path which is approximated to a position in a virtual plane which is optionally determined from two-dimensional projection data actually obtained are extracted. An image is reconstructed by using the approximate projection data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a helical scan type computer tomography apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as "CT").

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a CT having a one-dimensional detector in which detectors for detecting X-rays transmitted through an object are arranged one-dimensionally is generally popular. In recent years, there is a so-called helical scan method in which the X-ray source moves in a spiral trajectory in a moving coordinate system that moves together with the bed by moving the bed while continuously rotating the X-ray source and the detector. It is beginning to spread rapidly. Furthermore, 3D data can be obtained by arranging multiple rows of one-dimensional detectors and cone beam irradiation X-rays.
The feasibility of dimensionality is being sought.

In the helical scan method using a one-dimensional detector, since the X-ray source moves in a spiral orbit, most of the projection data on the reconstructed section needs to be approximately interpolated by linear interpolation processing or the like. is there. The created data is hereinafter referred to as approximate projection data. Since data for one rotation is substantially required for reconstruction, for example, if a region having a thickness of 10 cm is desired as 2 mm slice data, scan of 50 rotations was required.

In the so-called dual-slice helical system in which two rows of one-dimensional detectors are provided, the data acquisition speed is in principle twice that of the above system. It is conceivable to develop this into a multi-row one-dimensional detector, but the X-ray paths between the rows cannot be regarded as parallel. If this is regarded as parallel and the image is simply reconstructed as a multi-slice for each column, the image has many artifacts and cannot be put to practical use. No technology has been proposed to overcome these problems at present, and it is concluded that the speed of this method is at most doubled.

In the cone beam scanning method, theoretically perfect reconstruction is possible when the subject is completely contained in the cone beam, but when the subject is not completely contained in the cone beam, , No suitable reconstruction solution has been proposed.

[0006]

As described above, in the CT of the helical scan type using the two-dimensional array detector,
There is no simple reconstruction method with few artifacts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a CT of a helical scan system using a two-dimensional array detector, which can create a reconstructed image with few artifacts by simple processing.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a computer tomography apparatus for collecting projection data by helical scanning using a two-dimensional array detector, and arbitrarily determines from the two-dimensional projection data actually obtained. It is characterized in that the approximate projection data of the X-ray path approximate to the position of the virtual plane is extracted, and the reconstructed image is reconstructed using this approximate projection data.

[0008]

According to the present invention, X that approximates the position of the virtual plane arbitrarily determined from the two-dimensional projection data actually obtained
Since the approximate projection data of the line path is extracted and the reconstructed image is reconstructed using this approximate projection data, the helical scan CT using the two-dimensional array detector can be used to perform reconstruction with simple processing and few artifacts. Images can be created.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a computer tomography apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as "CT") according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CT according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data preprocessing device of FIG. The CT is mainly composed of a gantry 1, a bed 2, and a console 3. Stand 1
A cylindrical opening is opened in the center of the subject, and the subject P is inserted while being placed on the bed 2 during scanning.
The horizontal axis parallel to the body axis direction of the subject P is defined as the Z axis, the vertical axis is defined as the Y axis, and the horizontal axis orthogonal to the Z axis is defined as the X axis. The couch 2 is driven by a couch driving device 20 so as to be movable while the subject P is placed on the couch 2. The X-ray source 10 receives a high voltage from the high voltage generator 4 and receives the fan-shaped X-ray beam FX.
Fire. The divergence angle of this fan-shaped X-ray beam FX is called a fan angle, and is ± A ° to the left and right with the central axis sandwiched, which is a total of 2A °. The fan angle is typically 5
It is set to 0 °. The two-dimensional array detector 12 is a two-dimensional array of detectors that detect X-rays that have passed through the subject P as electric signals. The X-ray source 10 and the two-dimensional array detector 12 are supported by a rotating mechanism and a slip ring mechanism (not shown) so as to be continuously rotatable around the subject P while facing each other. This rotation is driven by the gantry drive device 13. Two-dimensional array detector 12
The output of is integrated in time by the two-dimensional data acquisition device 12, digitized, and acquired as projection data.
The high voltage generator 4 is controlled by the high voltage controller 5, the gantry driver 13 is controlled by the gantry controller 33, and the bed driver 20 is controlled by the bed controller 34.

The projection data from the two-dimensional data acquisition device 12 is sent to the data pre-processing device 31 and first subjected to general pre-processing such as Log conversion (logarithmic conversion) in the data pre-processing unit 311, and then, Pre-processed two-dimensional projection data storage unit 312
Is stored. The oblique cross-section approximate projection data creation unit 313
The projection data after the preprocessing is used to create the approximate projection data necessary for reconstructing the image regarding the oblique section. The image reconstruction device 32 reconstructs an image (oblique sectional image) from the approximate projection data created by the oblique projection approximate projection data creation unit 313. A so-called half reconstruction processing method capable of reconstructing an image from projection data for 180 ° is adopted for this reconstruction processing. This tomographic image data is sent to the main controller 3
It is sent to and displayed on the image display device 37 via 6, and is also sent to and stored in the image data storage device 35. Main control unit 3
6 controls the high voltage controller 5, the gantry controller 33, and the bed controller 34 to execute a helical scan.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. For convenience of description, a moving coordinate system that moves with the subject P is defined. In this moving coordinate system, in helical scanning, the X-ray source 10 moves along a spiral orbit as shown in FIG. In the actual movement, the X-ray source 10 and the two-dimensional array detector 11 continuously rotate, and the bed 2 moves the subject P in one direction. Here, the special terms used in the following description are defined. Real projection data; real projection data actually collected by each detector of the two-dimensional array detector 11 virtual projection data; for reconstructing an image of a reconstruction plane (defined here as an oblique section) The projection data on the X-ray path (referred to as a virtual path) that is ideal for the above, that is, included in the reconstruction plane. In helical scanning, such virtual projection data does not exist, with some exceptions. -Approximate projection data: projection data on an X-ray path (referred to as an approximate path) in the X-ray beam FX that most approximates the virtual path.
The approximate projection data may or may not actually exist as actual projection data. If it does not exist, it is created by interpolation (distance interpolation) from existing projection data close to the approximate path. The approximate projection data is the X-ray source 1
For each rotation angle of 0, one is created for each radiation direction of the X-rays from the X-ray source 10 (defined as a fan internal angle).

In helical scanning, one plane cannot be defined by a plurality of X-ray paths required for reconstruction.
One of the characteristics of the present embodiment is that an oblique section (reconstruction surface) inclined with respect to the Z axis is set for the X-ray path group for half a rotation of the X-ray source 10, and this half rotation is used. It consists in reconstructing an image using projection data (see FIG. 3 (b)). As a result, the deviation between the curved surface and the reconstruction surface drawn by the X-ray path group for half a rotation is small, and an image with few artifacts can be reconstructed. Further, the feature of the present embodiment is that, for the X-ray path group for half rotation, the oblique section that minimizes the artifact, that is, the above-described deviation amount is set, and the approximate path is set. The approximate path is specified by the rotation angle of the X-ray source 10, the fan internal angle, and the Z position.

The three-dimensional volume data has an X-shaped cross section.
It is obtained by repeating the reconstruction process while gradually shifting along the spiral trajectory of the radiation source 10. The spatial resolution changes according to the movement pitch of this oblique section. For example, FIG. 4 shows a change in the oblique cross section that is shifted by 90 °. According to this method, for example, it is possible to reconstruct an image of several times as many as the single slice or dual slice helical CT that has been put to practical use (which changes depending on the moving pitch) with one rotation.

The details will be described below. -Setting of virtual plane (oblique section) to be reconstructed It has been described above that the oblique section is approximately defined by the X-ray path group that moves while the X-ray source 10 rotates by 180 °. It is necessary to specify the virtual plane that minimizes the above-described shift amount. In FIG. 6, the spiral orbit of the X-ray source 10 (source) is expressed with the horizontal axis as the rotation angle of the X-ray source 10 and the vertical axis as the Z coordinate. The spiral trajectory of the X-ray source 10 is indicated by a first-order straight line fsource passing through the origin on this graph. On the other hand, the virtual plane is shown as a sine curve fplane on this graph. Here, 180 ° around 0 ° + fan angle 2A, that is, ± (90 ° + A), is given as a view required for half reconstruction. It can be easily understood that the smaller the integral of the difference between fsource and fplane is, the smaller the deviation amount between the virtual plane and the curved surface drawn by the X-ray path group for half the rotation of the spiral trajectory of the X-ray source 10 is. Ah

For example, if the fan angle is 2A = 50 °, then 90 ° + A = 115 °, but at this time the inclination angle of the virtual plane (corresponding to the inclination of the sine curve fplane at 0 °) and the helical When the ratio of the slope of fsource according to the relative movement speed of the bed 2 to the rotation of the X-ray source 10 during scanning is 1.095, the differences d1 and d between the two functions.
2 is almost the same. That is, by setting the virtual plane so that the maximum absolute value (| d1-d2 |) of the difference between the two functions is minimized, it is possible to specify the optimal virtual plane with the least artifacts. . As described above, in addition to the method based on the maximum absolute value of the difference between the two functions, a method of setting the virtual plane so that the mean square of the difference between the two functions is minimized may be adopted. Of course, it is not limited to such two methods.

Setting of Approximate Path As will be understood with reference to FIG. 6, virtual paths included in the virtual plane are rare, and therefore virtual projection data hardly exists as real projection data. Therefore, in a fan-shaped X-ray beam having a constant thickness,
Set an approximate path that is closest to the virtual path. Here, considering the fan internal angle of 0 °, the FOV is as shown in FIG.
A path on a virtual plane that passes through the center of (Field of View) (same as the rotation center of the X-ray source 10) is a virtual path. On the other hand, the approximate path is given as a path from the X-ray source 10 through the FOV center. The actual projection data that passes through this approximate path is the approximate projection data for the fan internal angle of 0 °. If there is no real projection data passing through this approximate path, approximate projection data is created by interpolation from the two real projection data of channels A and B that are closest to the intersection of the approximate path and the detector plane. FIG. 5 conceptually shows the change of the intersection point group of the detection surface of the approximate path with respect to the change of the rotation angle by a bold line. Two types of specific examples are provided for the method of setting the approximate path.

(1) First approximation path setting method (see FIG. 8)
(See (a)) In this method, when looking at a certain rotation angle of the X-ray source 10, the intersection of the approximate path on the detection surface is drawn as a “straight line” as the fan internal angle changes. As described above, the approximate path with the fan internal angle of 0 ° is set so as to intersect the virtual plane at the FOV center. The intersection of another approximate path of the fan internal angle and the virtual plane is X with the X-ray source 10 as the center.
The approximate path group is set so as to draw a slightly flat ellipse of a virtual plane having a radius from the radiation source 10 to the center of the FOV. The advantage of this method is that the complexity of actual calculation is small. FIG. 9 shows all approximate paths required to reconstruct one tomographic image by this method.
In FIG. 9, the rotation angle ζ of the X-ray source 10 is not an absolute angle, but the center of half rotation used by the X-ray source 10 for reconstruction is 0.
The X position ρ is represented by a distance (mm) from the origin with the center position of the moving range of the bed 2 while the X-ray source 10 makes a half rotation, and the Z position ρ rotates. It is generalized and shown with respect to changes in the angle and movement of the Z position of the detector. In FIG. 9, the bed 2 is shown to move 40 mm while the X-ray source 10 rotates half a turn. From the perspective of FIG. 9, for example, when the rotation angle ζ of the X-ray source 10 is 0 ° and the fan internal angle α is
The approximate pass when is 0 ° is projection data with a Z position ρ of 0, which would normally exist. Of course, this Z
If the actual path at the position ρ does not exist, the approximate projection data is created by interpolation from the actual projection data on the two paths closest to the approximate path.

(2) Second approximation path setting method (see FIG. 8)
(B)). This method sets the approximated path so that it intersects the virtual plane at the center of the approximated path. The intersection of such an approximate path and an imaginary plane is a cylinder obtained by extending the circumference on the XY plane whose diameter is the distance between the X-ray source 10 and the center of the FOV in the Z-axis direction, and an oblique section that is an imaginary plane. Draw a small ellipse that intersects. Of course,
If the actual projection data of this approximate path does not exist, it is created by interpolation as described above.

Although two examples of setting the approximate path, that is, creating the approximate projection data have been described above, other modified examples are conceivable and the present invention is not limited to these two examples. Regarding interpolation, obtaining the interpolation coefficient in advance for each combination of the rotation angle and the in-fan angle eliminates the step of calculating the interpolation coefficient when creating the approximate projection data and reduces the amount of calculation. It can be said to be effective. Further, the setting of the virtual plane and the method of taking the approximate path can be incorporated in the above interpolation coefficient in operation.

Next, a specific example will be described. here,
The radius of gyration of the X-ray source 10 is 600 mm.
It is assumed that the distance to the dimensional array detector 11 is 1.1 m and the fan angle is 50 degrees. At this time, FOV (reconstruction area)
Is 600 × sin (50 ° / 2), which is about 250 mm. Further, it is assumed that the two-dimensional array detector 11 is provided with nine channels in the Z direction (slice direction), in other words, the one-dimensional array detector is provided in nine rows in the Z direction. Also,
One-dimensional array detector is 1.4m at the center of FOV
A column pitch corresponding to m intervals (at this time, the column pitch is 2.5
7 mm). Also, X
It is assumed that the movement amount of the bed 2 is 15 mm during one rotation of the radiation source 10. At this time, the deviation between the approximate path in the FOV and the virtual plane in the Z direction is estimated to be about 0.41 mm in both the plus direction and the minus direction by calculation. Storage unit 31
The extraction of the approximate projection data from 2 is performed according to FIG. The interpolation processing may be linear distance interpolation, or r
Any of interpolation using an isine cosine function may be used. The required range of data on the two-dimensional array detector 11 is estimated to be plus or minus 10.18 mm.
The existence range of 1 is 2.57 mm × 4 = 10.28 mm. Since interpolation processing is included when creating approximate projection data, F
For a channel width of 1.4 mm at the center of the OV, the actual slice thickness would be much thicker, on the order of 2 mm. At this time, the error of 0.41 mm in the Z direction is an appropriately small error, and it is understood that a large image quality artifact is not generated.

Next, image reconstruction will be described. An image can be obtained by performing a two-dimensional half image reconstruction from the approximate projection data. As an actual process, it is only necessary to perform the conventional two-dimensional half reconstruction on the approximate projection data obtained as described above. At this time, if you use the data for 180 degrees + fan angle, you can get some counter beam,
Both of these may be added and averaged, or one of them may be selected. Of course, the data may be acquired in a slightly wider angle range and the opposite beams may be “smoothly weighted and connected”.

By the way, the coordinate system for reconstruction may be reconstructed with respect to the X and Y axes perpendicular to the Z direction. As a result, the reconstruction surface has a slight inclination, but this is an image viewed from the Z direction. can get. There is no need to retake the two-dimensional coordinates in the virtual plane. Original data is X, Y
It may be collected in coordinates, and since the continuous reconstruction planes are non-parallel as described above, it is rather easier to treat the X and Y coordinates as three-dimensional data. Conceivable.

Regarding Collection of Volume Data In the above description, acquisition of a single slice has been mainly described. In order to obtain the volume data, the half-rotation range necessary for reconstructing one image may be slightly shifted (see FIG. 3A). For example, if eight images are desired during one rotation of the X-ray source 10, the virtual plane may be set by shifting the half rotation range at a pitch of 360 ° / 8 = 45 °.

Even if images are sequentially created at a pitch of 45 degrees along the spiral orbit of the X-ray source 10, the images obtained are non-parallel. Therefore, the spatial resolution changes in the XY directions, which is considered to reflect the spatial asymmetry of the original spiral orbit of the X-ray source 10 and can be said to be natural in that sense.

Since the obtained series of images are non-parallel, cross sections parallel to each other, cross-section conversion images including curved cross-section conversion images, etc.
It is necessary to cut out an arbitrary two-dimensional image. Since the position of each surface is given by the formula of P (ζ) described later, it may be calculated according to this. In addition, when performing three-dimensional image processing such as surface display and projection image creation, it is most convenient in actual operation to first create cross sections that are parallel to each other and then use this to perform processing. When it is desired to increase the value, it is preferable to directly perform processing from the obtained series of non-parallel images.

The helical CT and the dual-slice helical CT for performing multi-slice of 2 slices will be compared with the conventional method. First, regarding the speed of imaging and the efficiency of collection time. In the above-described example, in helical CT, for example, if a region having a thickness of 10 cm is desired as 2 mm slice data, the bed must be moved by 2 mm per rotation and 50 rotations of imaging must be performed. In the case of the dual slice type, it is required to move 4 mm per rotation and to rotate 25 times. Using this method, in the above specific calculation example,
Since the bed is moved by 15 mm per rotation, about 7 rotations will be sufficient. Now consider the error in the location of the projection beam in the FOV during reconstruction. This method is an approximation method, and although there are errors, it is possible to provide sufficient accuracy under appropriate conditions as in the example shown in the above specific calculation example. Even in conventional helical CT,
Interpolation processing is performed with adjacent data, and it can be said that this method can be executed with the same level of error as the conventional method.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a flow of a series of processing from data collection to reconstruction, and FIG. 11 shows a certain oblique section. The bed movement amount per rotation is h [m
m], where κ is the inclination of the virtual plane, ζ radian
The oblique section P (ζ) centered on the rotated position, that is, the position of (ζh / 2π) [mm], is P (ζ) = {(x, y, z) z = (ζh / 2π) + [(x , y) (-sin ζ, cos
ζ)] × tan κ}. However, “·” represents the dot product.

Here, assuming that the rotation angle β of the X-ray source 10, the fan angle α, and the position ρ in the Z direction, this approximate projection data is represented as R (β, α, ρ). In reality, since the projection data is obtained discretely, R (l (Δβ), m
It is expressed as (Δα), n (Δρ)). Note that m =
-M / 2 to + M / 2, and n = -N / 2 to + L / 2.

Since the X-ray source 10 rotates several times by the helical scan, β becomes wide. This range I is I = L
Let L1 to LL2. Further, a range corresponding to − (π / 2 + A) to (π / 2 + A) in a real angle which is a range required for half reconstruction is described as −L / 2 to + L / 2.

Now, let us consider the reconstruction of the oblique section at the position where the X-ray source 10 is rotated by ζ. The Z position ρ on the detector of the approximate path of all the approximate projection data required to reconstruct this reconstructed image H (ζ) of the oblique section is given as ρ (β, α) as a function of β and α. To be

H (ζ) is obtained as follows. (STEP 1) Approximate projection data R (ζ, β,
α) is created by R (ζ, β, α) = R (ζ + β, α, ρ (β, α)). At this time, ζ + β = (I (ζ)) · (Δζ) α = (m (ζ)) · (Δα) (n−1) · (Δρ) ≦ ρ (β, α) <n · ( Δρ) is actually R (I (ζ) · (Δζ), m (ζ) · (Δα), α,
(N-1) · (Δρ)) R (I (ζ) · (Δζ), m (ζ) · (Δα), α, n
Approximate projection data is created from two existing projection data of (Δρ)) by interpolation processing. (STEP 2) The image H (ζ) is reconstructed in the direction rotated by ζ by a predetermined half reconstruction algorithm using the approximate projection data R (ζ, β, α).

The approximate projection data R may be sequentially erased as soon as necessary image reconstruction is completed during execution of the helical scan. If the storage capacity of the storage unit 312 is sufficiently large, after the helical scan is completed. Alternatively, the reconfiguration process may be executed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be implemented with various modifications. Modifications will be sequentially described below. (1) Combined use of shift mechanism By using the present invention and the shift mechanism together, the resolution can be improved. For example, suppose that the radius of gyration of the X-ray source 10 is "shifted" from 600 mm in the above example to 400 mm, which is 2/3. In this method, the movement amount of the bed per rotation of the X-ray source 101 is 15 in conjunction with this.
From 10 mm to 2/3, the slice thickness is also set to 2/3. It is not always necessary to interlock, but it is most efficient to improve the resolution as a whole including the slice direction.

(2) Utilization of partial angle reconstruction method The basic idea of the present invention is to use one of the spiral orbits of the X-ray source 10.
Paying attention to the fact that about 80 ° rotation is approximately included in one plane, it was intended to extract and collect projection data close to this helical oblique section to perform normal two-dimensional half reconstruction. If the spiral orbit is limited to a part, the approximation becomes better. As a modification of this method,
The partial angle reconstruction method is also used. If this method is used, the positional approximation between the spiral trajectory of the X-ray source 10 and the virtual plane becomes extremely good, so that an image can be obtained even if the virtual plane has a further inclination angle. Therefore, it is possible to increase the “fan angle in the slice direction”, and the shooting efficiency is further improved.

(3) Correspondence to reverse rotation (movement of the bed in the reverse direction) In an actual apparatus, the bed may be moved in both directions of inserting into and pulling out from the CT gantry. There are also two possible rotation directions of the X-ray source 10, including reverse rotation. In this case, the X-ray source 10 for the subject
Since the relative spiral motion of is mirror image symmetric, all the above data processing (creation of approximate projection data, coordinates of back projection calculation, etc.) are mirror image symmetry.

[0036]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a computer tomography apparatus for collecting projection data by helical scanning using a two-dimensional array detector, and a virtual plane arbitrarily determined from the two-dimensional projection data actually obtained. It is characterized in that the approximate projection data of the X-ray path that approximates the position is extracted and the reconstructed image is reconstructed using this approximate projection data. According to the present invention, approximate projection data of an X-ray path that approximates the position of an arbitrarily determined virtual plane is extracted from the actually obtained two-dimensional projection data, and the reconstructed image is obtained using this approximate projection data. Is reconstructed, it is possible to create a reconstructed image with few artifacts by simple processing by CT of the helical scan system using a two-dimensional array detector.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a CT according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data preprocessing device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a spiral orbit of an X-ray source in a helical scan.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in an oblique cross section that is shifted by 90 °.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a change in a group of intersections on a detection surface of an approximate path with respect to a change in a rotation angle.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a device of a spiral trajectory of an X-ray source and a virtual plane.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a virtual path and an approximate path with an angle of 0 ° in the fan.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method of setting an approximate path.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing Z positions of all approximate paths necessary for reconstructing one tomographic image.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a series of processing from data collection to reconstruction.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a cross section corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stand, 2 ... Bed, 3 ... Console, 4 ... High-voltage generator, 5 ... High-voltage control device, 10 ... X-ray source, 11 ... Two-dimensional array detector, 3 ... Stand drive device, 20 ... Bed drive Device, 31 ... Data pre-processing device, 32 ... Image reconstruction device, 33 ... Stand control device, 34 ... Bed control device, 35 ... Image data storage device, 36 ...
Main control device, 37 ... Image display device.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A computer tomography apparatus for collecting projection data by helical scanning using a two-dimensional array detector, which approximates a position of a virtual plane arbitrarily determined from two-dimensional projection data actually obtained. A computer tomography apparatus characterized by extracting approximate projection data of an X-ray path and reconstructing a reconstructed image using the approximate projection data. 2. The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the approximate projection data is obtained by interpolating at least two actually obtained projection data adjacent in the slice direction, which are simultaneously acquired. 3. The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual plane is set as an oblique section that is inclined with respect to a central axis of the helical scan. 4. The computerized tomography according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the virtual planes are set to be spatially continuous, and volume data is obtained by reconstructing a reconstructed image for each virtual plane. apparatus. 5. The helical scan is executed by moving an X-ray source on a spiral orbit relative to an object, and a plurality of X-ray sources are rotated by about 180 degrees on the virtual plane. The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer tomography apparatus is set as a plane that approximates a curved surface drawn by an X-ray path. 6. The Z-axis of the ellipse where the Z-coordinate of the X-ray source at each rotation angle of the semi-helix, the cylinder defined by the spiral trajectory of the X-ray source, and the virtual plane intersect the virtual plane.
The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the maximum absolute value of the difference from the coordinates is set to be the minimum. 7. The Z-axis of the ellipse where the Z-coordinate of the X-ray source at each rotation angle of the half-helix and the cylinder defined by the spiral trajectory of the X-ray and the virtual plane intersect each other on the virtual plane.
The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the root mean square error of the difference from the coordinates is set to a minimum. 8. The approximate projection data includes the X-ray source and F
6. The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data is data on an X-ray path passing through an ellipse intersecting the virtual plane and a cylinder whose diameter is the distance from the OV center. 9. The approximate projection data is data on an X-ray path that passes through an ellipse where a cylinder passing through the center of the FOV and the virtual plane intersect with the X-ray source as a center. The computer tomography apparatus described. 10. The relative movement distance of the object per one rotation of the X-ray source, where c is the reconstruction thickness in the slice direction at the FOV center converted from the width in the slice direction of the two-dimensional array detector. 6. The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 5, wherein is set to approximately 1.5c. 11. The computer tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reconstruction is performed by using a partial angle reconstruction method.