Multi-Linear X-Ray Scanning Systems and Methods for X-Ray Scanning
First Claim
1. An x-ray scanner, comprising:
- an x-ray source producing a fan beam of x-rays;
at least one x-ray detector array;
having a detector dimension;
having a plurality of time delay and integration (TDI) detector arrays each having a height dimension; and
detecting x-rays from the x-ray source along the detector dimension;
at least one collimator disposed between the x-ray source and the at least one x-ray detector array and defining a plurality of lateral slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into a plurality of lateral beams such that the lateral beams have a height dimension that is the same as the height dimension of the TDI detector arrays;
one of;
the at least one collimator being fixed to the x-ray source, the x-ray source moving about a source movement axis, and a first motor moving the at least one collimator and the x-ray source together; and
the x-ray source being fixed, the at least one collimator being movable with respect to the x-ray source about a collimator movement axis, and a first motor moving the at least one collimator with respect to the x-ray source; and
a second motor moving the TDI detector arrays; and
an x-ray processing unit;
controlling the first and second motors;
processing detection of the x-rays by the at least one x-ray detector array; and
forming an x-ray scanned image of an entity disposed between the at least one collimator and the at least one x-ray detector array such that an intensity and contrast of the x-ray scanned image is maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An x-ray scanner includes an x-ray source producing a fan beam of x-rays, an x-ray detector array, a collimator, a second motor moving TDI detector arrays, and an x-ray processing unit. The detector array has the TDI arrays and detects x-rays from the source. The collimator disposed between the source and detector array defines slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into lateral beams with a height dimension the same as a height dimension of the TDI detector arrays. Either the collimator is fixed to the x-ray source or moves thereto. A first motor moves the collimator or the collimator and source together. The processing unit controls the motors, processes detection of the x-rays, and forms an image of an entity between the collimator and the detector array to have an intensity and contrast of the scanned image be maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized.
12 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An x-ray scanner, comprising:
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an x-ray source producing a fan beam of x-rays; at least one x-ray detector array; having a detector dimension; having a plurality of time delay and integration (TDI) detector arrays each having a height dimension; and detecting x-rays from the x-ray source along the detector dimension; at least one collimator disposed between the x-ray source and the at least one x-ray detector array and defining a plurality of lateral slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into a plurality of lateral beams such that the lateral beams have a height dimension that is the same as the height dimension of the TDI detector arrays; one of; the at least one collimator being fixed to the x-ray source, the x-ray source moving about a source movement axis, and a first motor moving the at least one collimator and the x-ray source together; and the x-ray source being fixed, the at least one collimator being movable with respect to the x-ray source about a collimator movement axis, and a first motor moving the at least one collimator with respect to the x-ray source; and a second motor moving the TDI detector arrays; and an x-ray processing unit; controlling the first and second motors; processing detection of the x-rays by the at least one x-ray detector array; and forming an x-ray scanned image of an entity disposed between the at least one collimator and the at least one x-ray detector array such that an intensity and contrast of the x-ray scanned image is maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A radiographic imaging system, comprising:
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at least one of; a horizontally disposed radiographic table having; at least one horizontal x-ray detector array; having a first detector dimension; having a plurality of time delay and integration (TDI) detector arrays each having a height dimension; and detecting x-rays from an x-ray source along the first detector dimension; and a first motor moving the at least one horizontal x-ray detector array in a horizontal direction; and a vertically disposed radiographic table having; at least one vertical x-ray detector array; having a second detector dimension; having a plurality of TDI detector arrays each having the height dimension; and detecting x-rays from an x-ray source along the second detector dimension; a second motor moving the at least one vertical x-ray detector array in a vertical direction; an x-ray scanner having; an x-ray source producing a fan beam of x-rays; at least one collimator defining a plurality of horizontal slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into a plurality of lateral beams such that the lateral beams have a height dimension that is the same as the height dimension of the TDI detector arrays; one of; the at least one collimator being fixed to the x-ray source and disposed between the x-ray source and the at least one horizontal x-ray detector array in the horizontal scanning orientation and between the x-ray source and the at least one vertical x-ray detector array in the vertical scanning orientation, the x-ray source moving about a source movement axis, and a third motor moving the at least one collimator and the x-ray source together; and the x-ray source being fixed, the at least one collimator being movable with respect to the x-ray source about a collimator movement axis and disposed between the x-ray source and the at least one horizontal x-ray detector array in the horizontal scanning orientation and between the x-ray source and the at least one vertical x-ray detector array in the vertical scanning orientation, and the third motor moving the at least one collimator with respect to the x-ray source; and an x-ray processing unit operably connected to at least one of the horizontally and vertically disposed radiographic tables and; controlling the first, second, and third motors; processing detection of the x-rays by at least one of; the at least one vertical x-ray detector array; and the at least one horizontal x-ray detector array; and forming an x-ray scanned image of an entity disposed between the at least one collimator and at least one of the at least one vertical x-ray detector array and the at least one horizontal x-ray detector array such that an intensity and contrast of the x-ray scanned image is maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized; and the x-ray scanner and the x-ray processing unit and at least one of the horizontally disposed radiographic table and the vertically disposed radiographic table are all sized to fit within a single radiographic room. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification