What technology allows for real-time imaging during a CT scan?

The technology that enables real-time imaging during a CT scan is continuous rotation of the x-ray tube and detectors. This approach allows the x-ray tube to rotate around the patient without stopping, producing a constant stream of data. As the x-ray beams pass through the patient, detectors capture the transmitted x-rays at numerous angles, which are then reconstructed into images in real time. This method significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of the imaging process, allowing for quicker acquisitions and the ability to visualize dynamic processes within the body, such as blood flow or organ movement.

Contrast this with static rotation of the x-ray tube, which relies on fixed positions and is not conducive to real-time imaging since it captures data at limited angles. Intermittent data capture can miss crucial information due to the pauses between data acquisitions. Manual positioning of the patient, while important for ensuring the correct area of interest is scanned, does not contribute to the imaging technology itself and is not a mechanism for real-time imaging.