# US 10,765,383 B2 · Imaging with enhanced x-ray radiation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,383 B2 - Document ID: US10765383B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/743,304 - Filed: 2016-07-12 - Published: 2018-08-02 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-14 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Inventors: Gerhard Martens; Ewald Roessl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765383B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/06: Diaphragms - A61B 6/40: Arrangements for generating radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis - A61B 6/482: {involving multiple energy imaging} - G01N 23/04: and forming images of the material - G01N 23/20008: Constructional details of analysers, e.g. characterised by X-ray source, detector or optical system; Accessories therefor; Preparing specimens therefor (monochromators for X- rays using crystals G21K1/06) - G02B 5/10: with curved faces - G02B 27/0927: {Systems for changing the beam intensity distribution, e.g. Gaussian to top-hat} - G02B 27/0983: {being curved} - G21K 1/02: using diaphragms, collimators - G21K 1/067: {using surface reflection, e.g. grazing incidence mirrors, gratings (multilayer mirrors G21K1/062)} - G01N 23/044: using laminography or tomosynthesis - G01N 2223/316: collimators - G21K 2201/064: having a curved surface - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G21K: HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES ## Abstract The invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus (2), comprising: a source (4) for generating X-ray radiation, an object receiving space (6) for arranging an object of interest for X-ray imaging, an X-ray collimator arrangement (8) arranged between the source (4) and the collimator arrangement (8), and an X-ray mirror arrangement (10). The mirror arrangement (10) comprises for example two tapered mirrors (22) facing each other and adapted for guiding X-ray radiation of the source (4) to the collimator arrangement (8). Consequently, the X-ray intensity at the object receiving space (6) is increased. In order to limit the X-ray radiation to an area, where the X-ray radiation can be utilized form imaging, an angle of spread Θm between the mirrors (22) and a length LM of each mirror (22) is adapted, such that a number of total reflections of X-ray radiation, provided by the source (4), at the mirrors (22) is limited. The limitation provides the effect that an angle of reflection Θr of the totally reflected X-ray radiation is limited. Consequently, an X-ray intensity at the object receiving space (6) is increased while constrains are provided, which prevent a large increase of a width of the X-ray radiation provided at the object receiving space (6), which effectively improves an imaging quality of an object of interest being arrangeable at the object receiving space (6). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An X-ray imaging apparatus, comprising: a source for generating X-ray radiation emitting a polychromatic spectrum of X-ray energies; an object receiving space for arranging an object of interest for X-ray imaging; an X-ray collimator arrangement; and an X-ray mirror arrangement; wherein the X-ray collimator arrangement comprises at least a pre-collimator arranged between the source and the object receiving space for providing collimated X-ray radiation to the object receiving space; wherein the X-ray mirror arrangement is arranged between the source and the pre-collimator; wherein the X-ray mirror arrangement comprises a set of two mirrors for guiding X-ray radiation of the source by providing total reflection of the whole polychromatic spectrum of X-ray energies of a part of the X-ray radiation in order to deflect the part of the X-ray radiation towards the pre-collimator such that in the region of the object receiving space enhanced radiation is provided in form of unreflected primary X-ray radiation in combination with secondary X-ray radiation by total reflection; and wherein the mirrors of the set of two mirrors are facing one another with an angle of spread (θm) larger than zero, such that the set of mirrors providing an X-ray entrance having an entrance width and an X-ray exit having an exit width, which is smaller than the entrance width. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the primary X-ray radiation forms a primary beam cone between the source and the pre-collimator, wherein the mirrors of the set of mirrors abuts outside on the primary beam cone, and wherein the angle of spread corresponds to a cone angle (θk) of the primary beam cone with a maximum deviation to the cone angle of 10%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a length LM of each of the mirrors of the set of mirrors is arranged, such that the inequality LM≤LMmax=LW/(Θc2−Θm) holds, wherein: LW is the width of the exit of the set of mirrors, Θc2 is the critical angle of reflection at a mirror of the set of mirrors, Θm is the angle of spread of the mirrors of the set of mirrors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus to claim 1, wherein the exit of the set of mirrors abuts to an aperture of the pre-collimator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aperture of the pre-collimator is formed by the set of mirrors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set of mirrors are arranged such that for the part of the X-ray radiation of the source to be reflected at the set of mirrors, a maximum of one or two total reflections at the mirrors of the set of mirrors occur. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-collimator comprises at least two apertures; and wherein, for each aperture of the pre-collimator, the mirror arrangement comprises an associated set of mirrors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collimator arrangement further comprises a post-collimator; and wherein the object receiving space is arranged between the pre-collimator and the post collimator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each mirror of the sets of mirrors comprises a substrate with a coating layer for providing the total reflection; and wherein, between the coating layer and the substrate, a boundary is provided that is configured to reduce scatter radiation from incoming radiation that is not reflected but passes a mirror surface and enters the coating layer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, between the coating layer and the substrate, an uneven interface region is provided as the boundary. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the interface has a randomly rough structured surface profile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the interface has a periodical profile with a periodical height between 0.05 mm and 1.5 mm, and a period between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a thickness of the coating layer is between 10 nm and 25 nm. ### Claim 14 An X-ray imaging system, comprising: an apparatus comprising: a source for generating X-ray radiation emitting a polychromatic spectrum of X-ray energies; an object receiving space for arranging an object of interest for X-ray imaging; an X-ray collimator arrangement; and an X-ray mirror arrangement; wherein the X-ray collimator arrangement comprises at least a pre-collimator arranged between the source and the object receiving space for providing collimated X-ray radiation to the object receiving space; wherein the X-ray mirror arrangement is arranged between the source and the pre-collimator; wherein the X-ray mirror arrangement comprises a set of two mirrors for guiding X-ray radiation of the source by providing total reflection of the whole polychromatic spectrum of X-ray energies of a part of the X-ray radiation in order to deflect the part of the X-ray radiation towards the pre-collimator such that in the region of the object receiving space enhanced radiation is provided in form of unreflected primary X-ray radiation in combination with secondary X-ray radiation by total reflection; and wherein the mirrors of the set of two mirrors are facing one another with an angle of spread (θm) larger than zero, such that the set of mirrors providing an X-ray entrance having an entrance width and an X-ray exit having an exit width, which is smaller than the entrance width; a detector for detecting X-ray radiation passing the object receiving space; an imaging processing unit; and an image data output unit; wherein the imaging processing unit is configured to receive signals from the detector; and to compute image data of an object based on the signals; and wherein the image data output unit is configured to provide the image data for further purpose. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An X-ray imaging system according to claim 14, further comprising: a mounting arrangement for mechanically connecting the source, the mirror arrangement, the collimator arrangement and the detector, an actuator coupled to the mounting arrangement to displace the mounting arrangement, and a control unit to control the actuator, wherein the control unit is configured to receive signals from the detector and to compute a control signal based on the received signals from the detector.