What Is Fourth generation of CT Scan?
Fourth-generation CT scanners were designed to overcome the problem of ring artifacts. The fourth generation of CT scan is rotate/ fixed system. The detector completely surrounded the patient and the detectors are do not move because detectors are fixed. Only the x-ray tube rotates in 360° circle inside the detector ring and the X-ray beam is collimated to form a fan beam. Modern fourth-generation CT systems use about 4,800 individual detectors. During acquisition with a fourth-generation scanner, the divergent x-ray beam emerging from the x-ray tube forms a fan-shaped x-ray beam.
Advantage:-
1) fourth generation of ct scan design to eliminate ring artifacts.
2) As detector are fixed so signal wire connected to detector remain fixed and therefore no fear of cable wear and tear as in case of 3rd generation CT scan.
Disadvantage:–
1) It gives High patient radiation dose because the distance from tube to patient is less.
2) It is more expensive as compared to 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation of CT scan.
3) It produce more scattered radiation.