Which CT scanning method allows for continuous movement of the patient table during data acquisition?

The correct response focuses on helical scanning, which permits continuous movement of the patient table during data acquisition. This method utilizes a continuously rotating X-ray tube and a moving table, allowing data to be collected in a spiral path around the patient. This results in the advantage of faster scanning times and improved image quality since the entire volume of interest can be imaged in one continuous motion rather than in discrete slices.

In contrast, axial scanning involves the acquisition of data in discrete steps, where the table moves incrementally after each scan is completed, leading to longer total scan times. Sequential scanning refers to a similar process where data is collected slice by slice, also without continuous movement. Static scanning, while it might imply a fixed position for obtaining data, does not accommodate the dynamic collection of data that helical scanning provides. Thus, helical scanning stands out as the method that allows for both continuous patient movement and efficient data acquisition, making it a significant advancement in CT technology.