Method and apparatus for obtaining high-resolution digital X-ray and gamma ray images

• US 6,272,207 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Creative Microtech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Creatv Microtech, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tang, Cha-Mei
• Primary Examiner(s): Bruce, David V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A.
• Application Number:
  US09/251,737
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 378/145, 378/147, 378/148, 378/154, 378/155, 378/62, 378/988
• US Class Current: 378/149
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/025 using multiple collimators, e.g. Bucky screens; other devices for eliminating undesired or dispersed radiation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for obtaining a high-resolution digital image of an object or objects irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum. The apparatus comprises a detector matrix and a radiation mask. The detector matrix comprises a plurality of detector pixels, each comprising a detection surface having a respective surface area which generates a signal in response to an energy stimulus. The radiation mask has an opaque portion, and a plurality of apertures. The aperture size and position relative to the detector array determines the image resolution not the size of the detector pixels. The mask is positioned between the detector matrix and the radiation source, such that the opaque portion prevents portions of the radiation from passing through the mask, and each of the apertures permits a portion of the radiation which has passed through or has been emitted from a respective portion of the object to propagate onto an area of the detection surface, less than the surface area, of a respective one of the detector pixels. The signal from a large detector pixel or from a group of small detector pixels represent an image of the respective portion of the object. The detector matrix and radiation mask are moved in synchronism in relation to the object to enable the areas of the detection surfaces of the detector pixels to receive portions of the radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of the object, and to output signals representative of those other portions. These steps of moving the detector pixels and mask and irradiating the object are repeated until digital images of all portions of the object have been obtained. Alternatively, the x-ray source can be moved to image all portions of the object. The images are then arranged into an image representative of the entire object.

Claims

1. An apparatus for obtaining a digital image of an object or objects being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, comprising:

a detector matrix, comprising a plurality of detector pixels, arranged such that the centers of each adjacent detector pixels are spaced at a first pixel pitch distance from each other in a direction along the width of said detector matrix, and at a second pixel pitch distance from each other in a direction along the length of said detector matrix, with each detector pixel comprising a detection surface having a respective surface area and being adapted to generate a signal in response to an energy stimulus applied thereto; and

at least one radiation mask having an opaque portion and a plurality of apertures therein, arranged such that the centers of each adjacent apertures are spaced at a first aperture pitch distance from each other in a direction along the width of said radiation mask, and at a second aperture pitch distance from each other in a direction along the length of said radiation mask, said first and second aperture pitch distances being smaller than said first and second pixel pitch distances, respectively, said radiation mask being positioned between the radiation source and the object or objects, such that said opaque portion substantially prevents portions of said radiation from passing therethrough, and each of said apertures permits a portion of said radiation that has passed through to strike at least a portion of said detection surface of a respective one of said detector pixels, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

each of said apertures permits a respective said portion of said radiation that has passed therethrough to strike an area of said detection surface, less than said surface area, of a respective one of said detector pixels.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

each of said apertures permits a respective said portion of said radiation that has passed therethrough to strike portions of a plurality of said detection surfaces of a respective plurality of said detector pixels.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an image creating device which arranges said images of said respective portions of said object to form the digital image of said object.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a conveying device which moves said detector matrix and radiation mask in relation to said object to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said detector pixels are arranged in said detector matrix in a plurality of detector rows, each row comprising a first number of said detector pixels, and a plurality of detector columns, each column comprising a second number of said detector pixels, said detector pixels in each of said detector rows being separated by said first pixel pitch distance, and said detector pixels in each of said detector columns being separated by said second pixel pitch distance; and

said apertures in said radiation mask are arranged in a plurality of aperture rows, each comprising a first number of apertures, and a plurality of aperture columns, each comprising a second number of said apertures.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

a conveying device which is adapted to move said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a first distance equal to a fraction of said first pixel pitch distance in a first direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and which is adapted to move said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a second distance equal to a fraction of said second pixel pitch distance in a second direction substantially parallel to said detector columns.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said first direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said first distance; and

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said second direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said second distance.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said first direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said first distance.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said second direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said second distance.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said first number of detector pixels equals said first number of apertures; and

said second number of detector pixels equals said second number of apertures.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said first and second pixel pitch distances are equal.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said first and second pixel pitch distances are different from each other.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said detection surfaces of said detector pixels are each substantially square in shape;

and said apertures are each substantially square in shape.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

each of said apertures occupies an area less than said surface area of a respective one of said detector pixels.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of said radiation masks.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said radiation mask comprises a focused radiation mask.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said radiation mask is an unfocused radiation mask.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said detection surfaces of said detector pixels are each substantially rectangular in shape;

and said apertures are each substantially square in shape.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said detection surfaces of said detector pixels are each substantially square in shape;

and said apertures are each substantially rectangular in shape.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said opaque portion of said radiation mask is configured to form first walls of said radiation mask extending substantially parallel to each other along a first direction and second walls of said radiation mask extending substantially parallel to each other along a second direction.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said opaque portion of said radiation mask is configured to form first walls and second walls of said radiation mask extending along first and second directions, respectively, such that at least one of said first and second walls are angled to focus to a point at a distance from said radiation mask.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim l, further comprising:

an imager which arranges said images of said respective portions of said object to form the digital image of said object.

24. A method for using a detector matrix comprising a plurality of detector pixels to obtain a digital image of an object or objects the detector pixels being arranged such that the centers of each adjacent detector pixels are spaced at a first pixel pitch distance from each other in a direction along the width of said detector matrix, and at a second pixel pitch distance from each other in a direction along the length of said detector matrix, the method comprising the steps of:

emitting from a radiation source radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated in a direction toward said object or objects; and

positioning at least one radiation mask having an opaque portion and a plurality of apertures therein between said radiation source and said object or objects, said radiation mask being configured such that the centers of each adjacent apertures are spaced at a first aperture pitch distance from each other in a direction along the width of said radiation mask, and at a second aperture pitch distance from each other in a direction along the length of said radiation mask, said first and second aperture pitch distances being smaller than said first and second pixel pitch distances, said opaque portion substantially preventing first portions of said radiation from passing therethrough, and each of said apertures permitting a respective second portion of said radiation that has passed through to strike at least a portion of said detection surface of a respective one of said detector pixels, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said apertures permit said second portions of said radiation to each propagate onto an area of said detection surface, less than said surface area, of a respective one of said detector pixels.

26. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said apertures permit said second portions of said radiation to strike portions of a plurality of said detection surfaces of a respective plurality of said detector pixels.

27. A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

arranging said images of said respective portions of said object to form the digital image of said object.

28. A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

after performing said emitting and positioning steps, moving said detector matrix and radiation mask in relation to said object; and

after performing said moving step, repeating said emitting and positioning steps to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

29. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said detector pixels are arranged in said detector matrix in a plurality of detector rows, each comprising a first number of said detector pixels, and a plurality of detector columns, each comprising a second number of said detector pixels, said detector pixels in each of said detector rows being separated by said first pixel pitch distance, and said detector pixels in each of said detector columns being separated by said second pixel pitch distance; and

said apertures in said radiation mask are arranged in a plurality of aperture rows, each comprising a first number of apertures, and a plurality of aperture columns, each comprising a second number of said apertures; and

wherein said method further comprises at least one of the following steps;

after performing said emitting and positioning steps, performing a first step of moving said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a first distance equal to a fraction of said first pixel pitch distance in a first direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and repeating said emitting step to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions; and

after repeating said emitting step, performing a second step of moving said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a second distance equal to a fraction of said second pixel pitch distance in a second direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and repeating said emitting step to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through from further other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said further other portions.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said second step is performed after said first step has been performed.

31. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said second step is performed before said first step has been performed.

32. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

during said first step, said detector matrix and said radiation mask are moved incrementally in said first direction, and said emitting step is repeated after each incremental movement, until said detector matrix and said radiation mask have moved said first distance; and

during said second step, said detector matrix and said radiation mask are moved in synchronism incrementally in said second direction, and said emitting step is repeated after each incremental movement, until said detector matrix and said radiation mask have moved said second distance.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein:

said first and second steps are repeated until said detector pixels have output signals representative of an entirety of said object.

34. A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

after performing said emitting and positioning steps, moving said radiation source in relation to said object; and

after performing said moving step, repeating said emitting step to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

35. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said radiation mask focuses said second portions of said radiation toward said detector pixels.

36. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said radiation mask permits said second portions of said radiation to propagate unfocused toward said detector pixels.

37. An apparatus for obtaining a digital image of an object or objects being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum, comprising:

a detector matrix, comprising a plurality of detector pixels, each detector pixel comprising a detection surface having a respective surface area and being adapted to generate a signal in response to an energy stimulus applied thereto; and

at least one radiation mask having an opaque portion and a plurality of apertures therein, said radiation mask being positioned between the detector matrix and the object or objects, such that said opaque portion substantially prevents portions of said radiation from passing therethrough, and each of said apertures permits a portion of said radiation that has passed through or has been emitted from a respective portion of said object to pass therethrough and strike a portion of said detection surface of a respective one of said detector pixels, said portion being less than the entire said detection surface of said respective one said detector pixel, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object having a resolution based on a size of a respective one of said apertures.

38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

each of said apertures permits a respective said portion of said radiation that has passed therethrough to strike an area of said detection surface, less than said surface area, of a respective one of said detector pixels.

39. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

each of said apertures permits a respective said portion of said radiation that has passed therethrough to strike portions of a plurality of said detection surfaces of a respective plurality of said detector pixels.

40. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, further comprising:

an imager which arranges said images of said respective portions of said object to form the digital image of said object.

41. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, further comprising:

a conveying device which moves said detector matrix and radiation mask in relation to said object to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said detector pixels are arranged in said detector matrix in a plurality of detector rows, each row comprising a first number of said detector pixels, and a plurality of detector columns, each column comprising a second number of said detector pixels, said detector pixels in each of said detector rows being separated by a first pixel pitch distance, and said detector pixels in each of said detector columns being separated by a second pixel pitch distance; and

said apertures in said radiation mask are arranged in a plurality of aperture rows, each comprising a first number of apertures, and a plurality of aperture columns, each comprising a second number of said apertures.

43. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, further comprising:

a conveying device which is adapted to move said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a first distance equal to a fraction of said first pixel pitch distance in a first direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and which is adapted to move said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a second distance equal to a fraction of said second pixel pitch distance in a second direction substantially parallel to said detector columns.

44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein:

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said first direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said first distance; and

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said second direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said second distance.

45. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein:

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said first direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said first distance.

46. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein:

said conveying device moves said detector matrix and said detector mask incrementally in said second direction until said detector matrix and said detector mask have moved said second distance.

47. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein:

said first number of detector pixels equals said first number of apertures; and

said second number of detector pixels equals said second number of apertures.

48. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein:

said first and second pixel pitch distances are equal.

49. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein:

said first and second pixel pitch distances are different from each other.

50. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said detection surfaces of said detector pixels are each substantially square in shape;

and said apertures are each substantially square in shape.

51. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

each of said apertures occupies an area less than said surface area of a respective one of said detector pixels.

52. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, further comprising:

a plurality of said radiation masks.

53. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said opaque portion of said radiation mask is configured to form first walls of said radiation mask extending substantially parallel to each other along a first direction and second walls of said radiation mask extending substantially parallel to each other along a second direction.

54. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said opaque portion of said radiation mask is configured to form first walls and second walls of said radiation mask extending along first and second directions, respectively, such that at least one of said first and second walls are angled to focus to a point at a distance from said radiation mask.

55. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said object or objects are being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source.

56. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said object or objects are emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum.

57. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said radiation mask is disposed on top of said detector matrix.

58. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said detection surfaces of said detector pixels are each substantially rectangular in shape;

and said apertures are each substantially square in shape.

59. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said detection surfaces of said detector pixels are each substantially square in shape;

and said apertures are each substantially rectangular in shape.

60. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

at least one of said apertures includes a material therein.

61. An apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein:

said material includes one of photoresist, scintillator material or a material having a low atomic number.

62. An apparatus for obtaining a digital image of an object or objects being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum, comprising:

a detector matrix, comprising a plurality of detector pixels, each detector pixel comprising a detection surface having a respective surface area and being adapted to generate a signal in response to an energy stimulus applied thereto; and

at least one radiation mask having an opaque portion and a plurality of apertures therein, said radiation mask being positioned between the detector matrix and the object or objects, or between the radiation source and the object or objects, such that said opaque portion substantially prevents portions of said radiation from passing therethrough, and each of said apertures permits a portion of said radiation that has passed through or has been emitted from a respective portion of said object to pass therethrough and strike portions of a plurality of said detection surface of a respective plurality of said detector pixels, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object.

63. A method for using a detector matrix comprising a plurality of detector pixels to obtain a digital image of an object or objects being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum, the method comprising the steps of:

preventing first portions of said radiation which have passed through said object or have been emitted from said object from propagating onto any of said detector pixels; and

permitting second portions of said radiation which have passed through or have been emitted from respective portions of said object to each propagate onto portions of plurality of detection surfaces of a respective plurality of said detector pixels, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object.

64. A method for using a detector matrix comprising a plurality of detector pixels to obtain a digital image of an object or objects being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum, the method comprising the steps of:

preventing first portions of said radiation which have passed through said object or have been emitted from said object from propagating onto any of said detector pixels; and

permitting second portions of said radiation which have passed through or have been emitted from respective portions of said object to each propagate onto at least a portion of a detection surface of at least a respective one of said detector pixels, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object;

wherein;

said detector pixels are arranged in said detector matrix in a plurality of detector rows, each comprising a first number of said detector pixels, and a plurality of detector columns, each comprising a second number of said detector pixels, said detector pixels in each of said detector rows being separated by a first pixel pitch distance, and said detector pixels in each of said detector columns being separated by a second pixel pitch distance; and

a radiation mask is disposed between said radiation source and said object, or between said object and said detector matrix, and includes apertures that are arranged in a plurality of aperture rows, each comprising a first number of apertures, and a plurality of aperture columns, each comprising a second number of said apertures; and

wherein said method further comprises at least one of the following steps;

after performing said preventing and permitting steps, performing a first step of moving said detector matrix and said radiation mask in synchronism in relation to said object by a first distance equal to a fraction of said first pixel pitch distance in a first direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and repeating said preventing and permitting steps to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions; and

after performing said preventing and permitting steps, performing a second step of moving said detector matrix and said radiation mask in synchronism in relation to said object by a second distance equal to a fraction of said second pixel pitch distance in a second direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and repeating said preventing and permitting steps to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

65. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein:

said second step is performed after said first step has been performed.

66. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein:

said second step is performed before said first step has been performed.

67. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein:

during said first step, said detector matrix and said radiation mask are moved in synchronism incrementally in said first direction, and said preventing and permitting steps are repeated after each incremental movement, until said detector matrix and said radiation mask have moved said first distance; and

during said second step, said detector matrix and said radiation mask are moved in synchronism incrementally in said second direction, and said preventing and permitting steps are repeated after each incremental movement, until said detector matrix and said radiation mask have moved said second distance.

68. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein:

said first and second steps are repeated until said detector pixels have output signals representative of an entirety of said object.

69. A method for using a detector matrix comprising a plurality of detector pixels to obtain a digital image of an object or objects being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum, the method comprising:

positioning at least one radiation mask having an opaque portion and a plurality of apertures therein between said object or objects and said detector matrix, so that said opaque portion of said radiation mask prevents first portions of said radiation which have passed through said object or have been emitted from said object from propagating onto any of said detector pixels, and said apertures of said radiation mask permit second portions of said radiation which have passed through or have been emitted from respective portions of said object to each propagate onto a portion of a detection surface of a respective one of said detector pixels, said portion being less than the entire said detection surface of said respective one said detector pixel, so that said detector pixels each output a respective signal representative of an image of said respective portion of said object having a resolution based on a size of a respective one of said apertures.

70. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said apertures permit said second portions of said radiation to each propagate onto an area of said detection surface, less than said surface area, of a respective one of said detector pixels.

71. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said apertures permit said second portions of said radiation to strike portions of a plurality of said detection surfaces of a respective plurality of said detector pixels.

72. A method as claimed in claim 69, further comprising the step of:

arranging said images of said respective portions of said object to form the digital image of said object.

73. A method as claimed in claim 69, further comprising the steps of:

after performing said positioning steps, moving said detector matrix and radiation mask in relation to said object; and

after performing said moving step, allowing said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

74. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said detector pixels are arranged in said detector matrix in a plurality of detector rows, each comprising a first number of said detector pixels, and a plurality of detector columns, each comprising a second number of said detector pixels, said detector pixels in each of said detector rows being separated by said first pixel pitch distance, and said detector pixels in each of said detector columns being separated by said second pixel pitch distance; and

said apertures in said radiation mask are arranged in a plurality of aperture rows, each comprising a first number of apertures, and a plurality of aperture columns, each comprising a second number of said apertures; and

wherein said method further comprises at least one of the following steps;

after performing said positioning step, performing a first step of moving said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a first distance equal to a fraction of said first pixel pitch distance in a first direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and allowing said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions; and

performing a second step of moving said detector matrix and said detector mask in relation to said object by a second distance equal to a fraction of said second pixel pitch distance in a second direction substantially parallel to said detector rows, and repeating said positioning to enable said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from further other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said further other portions.

75. A method as claimed in claim 74, wherein:

said second step is performed after said first step has been performed.

76. A method as claimed in claim 74, wherein:

said second step is performed before said first step has been performed.

77. A method as claimed in claim 74, wherein:

during said first step, said detector matrix and said radiation mask are moved incrementally in said first direction, until said detector matrix and said radiation mask have moved said first distance; and

during said second step, said detector matrix and said radiation mask are moved incrementally in said second direction, until said detector matrix and said radiation mask have moved said second distance.

78. A method as claimed in claim 74, wherein:

said first and second steps are repeated until said detector pixels have output signals representative of an entirety of said object.

79. A method as claimed in claim 69, further comprising the steps of:

after performing said positioning step, moving said radiation source in relation to said object; and

after performing said moving step, allowing said areas of said detection surfaces of said detector pixels to receive portions of said radiation propagating through or emitted from other portions of said object and to output signals representative of said other portions.

80. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said radiation mask focuses said second portions of said radiation toward said detector pixels.

81. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said radiation mask permits said second portions of said radiation to propagate unfocused toward said detector pixels.

82. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said object or objects are being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source.

83. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said object or objects are emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum.

84. A method as claimed in claim 69, wherein:

said positioning step includes placing said radiation mask on top of said detector matrix.