Systems and methods for imaging large field-of-view objects
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a source having a fixed focal spot from which a radiation beam is emitted, wherein the source is enclosed within a source housing;
a detector located at a distance from the source and positioned to receive the radiation beam from the source along a first trajectory;
a detector positioner that translates the detector from a first position to a second position in a direction that is substantially normal to the first trajectory of the radiation beam from the fixed focal spot; and
a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the radiation beam onto the detector located at least at both the first position and the second position, wherein the beam positioner includes a servomotor linear actuator to move the source about the fixed focal point;
a detector positioner frame that includes two side walls and a plurality of lateral frames extending between the two side walls;
wherein the detector positioner is moveably mounted upon the detector positioner frame;
wherein the detector positioner frame allows the detector to be translated along an arc between the first position and the second position.
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Abstract
An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
270 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a source having a fixed focal spot from which a radiation beam is emitted, wherein the source is enclosed within a source housing; a detector located at a distance from the source and positioned to receive the radiation beam from the source along a first trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector from a first position to a second position in a direction that is substantially normal to the first trajectory of the radiation beam from the fixed focal spot; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the radiation beam onto the detector located at least at both the first position and the second position, wherein the beam positioner includes a servomotor linear actuator to move the source about the fixed focal point; a detector positioner frame that includes two side walls and a plurality of lateral frames extending between the two side walls; wherein the detector positioner is moveably mounted upon the detector positioner frame; wherein the detector positioner frame allows the detector to be translated along an arc between the first position and the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a source having a fixed focal spot from which a radiation beam is emitted, wherein the source is enclosed within a source housing; a detector located at a distance from the source and positioned to receive the radiation beam from the source along a first trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector from a first position to a second position in a direction that is substantially normal to the first trajectory of the radiation beam from the fixed focal spot; a beam positioner that alters the radiation beam to a second trajectory to direct the radiation beam onto the detector located at least at both the first position and the second position, wherein the beam positioner includes a linear collimator connected to the source housing that is driven by a servomotor to move the linear collimator to alter the radiation beam between at least the first trajectory and the second trajectory and a bracket assembly that is curved and defines an imaging area within the curved portion of the bracket assembly; wherein both the detector positioner and the beam positioner are moveably connected to the bracket assembly; wherein an object to be imaged is positioned in the imaging area between the source and the detector. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a source having a fixed focal spot from which a radiation beam is emitted, wherein the source is enclosed within a source housing; a detector located at a distance from the source and positioned to receive the radiation beam from the source along a first trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector from a first position to a second position in a direction that is substantially normal to the first trajectory of the radiation beam from the fixed focal spot; a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the radiation beam onto the detector located at least at both the first position and the second position; a bracket assembly defining a central point; a source stage connected to the bracket assembly and configured to move the source housing about the central point; and a radiation detector stage having a positioner frame and a motor that translates the detector within the positioner frame, wherein the radiation detector stage is connected to the bracket assembly and is configured to move the radiation detector about the central point; wherein at least one of movement of the source stage and the movement of the radiation detector stage is independent of translating the radiation detector and altering the trajectory of the radiation beam. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for imaging, comprising:
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defining a central point with a bracket assembly; detecting a radiation beam, the radiation beam traveling in a first trajectory from a radiation source to a radiation detector; translating the radiation detector, relative to a fixed focal spot of the radiation source, from a first position to a second position in a direction that is substantially normal to the first trajectory of the radiation beam within a positioner frame with a motor that translates the detector within the positioner frame about a central point; and moving a source housing within a source stage configured to move the source housing about the central point to direct the radiation beam along a second trajectory from the fixed focal spot onto the radiation detector located at the second position. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification