Method and apparatus for enhanced sensitivity filmless medical x-ray imaging, including three-dimensional imaging

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:870132

Parker, Sherwood ^[1]

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1. Berkeley, CA

A filmless X-ray imaging system includes at least one X-ray source, upper and lower collimators, and a solid-state detector array, and can provide three-dimensional imaging capability. The X-ray source plane is distance z.sub.1 above upper collimator plane, distance z.sub.2 above the lower collimator plane, and distance z.sub.3 above the plane of the detector array. The object to be X-rayed is located between the upper and lower collimator planes. The upper and lower collimators and the detector array are moved horizontally with scanning velocities v.sub.1, v.sub.2, v.sub.3 proportional to z.sub.1, z.sub.2 and z.sub.3, respectively. The pattern and size of openings in the collimators, and between detector positions is proportional such that similar triangles are always defined relative to the location of the X-ray source. X-rays that pass through openings in the upper collimator will always pass through corresponding and similar openings in the lower collimator, and thence to a corresponding detector in the underlying detector array. Substantially 100% of the X-rays irradiating the object (and neither absorbed nor scattered) pass through the lower collimator openings and are detected, which promotes enhanced sensitivity. A computer system coordinates repositioning of the collimators and detector array, and X-ray source locations. The computer system can store detector array output, and can associate a known X-ray source location with detector array output data, to provide three-dimensional imaging. Detector output may be viewed instantly, stored digitally, and/or transmitted electronically for image viewing at a remote site.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-83ER40103
• Assignee: University of Hawaii (Honolulu, HI)
• Patent Number(s): US 5461653
• OSTI ID: 870132
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
enhanced
sensitivity
filmless
medical
x-ray
imaging
including
three-dimensional
source
upper
collimators
solid-state
detector
array
provide
capability
plane
distance
z
collimator
x-rayed
located
planes
moved
horizontally
scanning
velocities
proportional
respectively
pattern
size
openings
positions
similar
triangles
defined
relative
location
x-rays
pass
corresponding
thence
underlying
substantially
100
irradiating
neither
absorbed
nor
scattered
detected
promotes
computer
coordinates
repositioning
locations
store
output
associate
data
viewed
instantly
stored
digitally
transmitted
electronically
image
viewing
remote
site
enhanced sensitivity
output data
detector output
ray imaging
x-ray source
detector array
x-ray imaging
source location
solid-state detector
dimensional imaging
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