X-ray CT scanner

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray CT scanner which alleviates the burden imposed on an operator with an automated system for setting scan conditions.
To achieve the object, an X-ray CT scanner according to an aspect of the present invention comprises means for emitting X-rays to a subject under examination; means for detecting X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitting means and passed through the subject; scanogram means, coupled to the emitting means and the detecting means, including means for moving the X-ray emitting means with the detecting means along the subject and means for photographing a scanogram of the subject; determining means, coupled to the scanogram means, for determining a scan condition from image information for a predetermined position in the scanogram; means, coupled to the determining means, for scanning a portion of the subject corresponding to the predetermined position in the scanogram in accordance with the scan condition determined by the determining means including means for rotating the X-ray emitting means and the detecting means around the subject; and means for reconstructing a slice image of the portion of the subject based on the output from the detecting means during scanning by the scanning means.
The scanogram is photographed by directing X-rays to a subject under examination.
By using the resultant photographic data of the scanogram, therefore, it is possible to determine the optimum scan conditions for photographing slice images.
According to such automated setting of scan conditions, it becomes possible to set the optimum scan conditions for each of slices irrespective of presence or absence of operator's experience in setting scan conditions, thus alleviating the burden imposed on the operator considerably.