METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPUTING TOMOGRAPHIC AND PANORAMIC SCANS

An apparatus and method for computing both tomographic and panoramic scans of an object (16). The apparatus (10) includes an X-ray source (12) and a linear x-ray detector (20), and is operable in two modes: a panoramic mode and a tomographic mode. In the panoramic mode, the detector (20) is aligned perpendicular to a plane of rotation, and the detector (20) and x-ray source are rotated together about an object (16) to be imaged, and about a center of rotation. In addition, the center of rotation travels along a predetermined path. The digital signals produced by the detector (20) are electronically processed to produce a panoramic x-ray image of the object (16). In the tomographic mode, the linear detector (20) is positioned to lie within the plane of rotation, and the detector (20) and x-ray source (12) are rotated together in the plane of rotation about a center of rotation and about an object (16) to be imaged. Signals produced by the detector (20) during rotation are electronically processed to produce a computed tomographic image of the object (16) being scanned. During the tomographic mode, the center of rotation can also travel along a predetermined path, and this eccentricity is mathematically corrected.