X-ray scanners and X-ray sources therefor

• US 9,638,646 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2015
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morton, Edward James
• Primary Examiner(s): Artman, Thomas R
• Application Number:
  US14/688,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20150362442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4042 K-edge filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/206 sources operating at different energy levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/06 and measuring the absorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/087 using polyenergetic X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/00 Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/086 Target geometry
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/088 Laminated targets, e.g. plurality of emitting layers of unique or differing materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/112 Non-rotating anodes H01J35/12 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an X-ray scanner that has an electron source and an anode. The anode has a target surface with a series of material areas spaced along it in a scanning direction. The material areas are formed from different materials. The electron source is arranged to direct electrons at a series of target areas of the target surface, in a predetermined order, so as to generate X-ray beams having different energy spectra.

Claims

1. An X-ray scanner comprising

a plurality of electron sources and an anode, wherein the anode has a target surface with a series of material areas spaced along it in a scanning direction, the material areas being formed from different materials wherein each material area is characterized by an energy spectra having an associated peak, and wherein each of the plurality of the electron sources is arranged to be independently activated and arranged to direct electrons at target areas of the target surface, in a predetermined order, so as to generate X-rays having different energy spectra;

and

a plurality of detectors arranged to detect the X-rays, wherein at least one of said plurality of detectors comprises a filter material and wherein said filter material is characterized by having an absorption edge at an energy between a first peak of a first energy spectra of a first material area of said material areas and a second peak of a second energy spectra of a second material area of said material areas.

2. A scanner according to claim 1, wherein each of the material areas is formed of a uniform material.

3. A scanner according to claim 1 wherein the material areas comprise strips which extend in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.

4. A scanner according to claim 1 wherein the material areas comprise strips extending in a direction which is oblique to the scanning direction.

5. A scanner according to claim 1, wherein the material areas are formed as thin films of target metals.

6. A scanner according to claim 1 wherein each of the target areas is within a respective one of the material areas.

7. A scanner according to claim 1 wherein each of the target areas covers part of at least two of the material areas.

8. A scanner according to claim 1 wherein the detectors are substantially identical.

9. A scanner according to claim 8 wherein one of the sets of detectors is more sensitive to X-rays over a first range of energies, and the other of the sets of detectors is more sensitive to X-rays over a second range of energies.

10. A scanner according to claim 1 wherein the detectors include two sets of detectors arranged to have different responses to X-rays of at least one energy.

11. A scanner according to claim 1 further comprising processing means arranged to receive signals from the detectors, and to process the signals to generate an output.

12. A scanner according to claim 11 wherein the output is image data set arranged to generate an image.