System and method for imaging a subject

An imaging system for generating a long view image of a subject comprising:

• a single source configured to emit x-rays in an x-ray beam;
• an image detector operable to be positioned at a first position relative to a subject and at a second position relative to the subject, wherein the image detector is operable to collect a plurality of image data portions at least at the first position, the second position, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the first position and the second position;
• an imager movement system operable to move the image detector along a path relative to the subject between the first position to a second position;
• an image processor operable to execute instructions to:
• determine an overlap region between at least a sub-plurality of the plurality of image data portions, and
• generate an intermediate image based on the determined overlap between at least the sub-plurality of the plurality of image data portions;
• a display device operable to display an image based at least in part on the generated intermediate image;
• and
• a substantially solid member having at least a first open through slot and a second open through slot;
• wherein the substantially solid member blocks the emitted x-rays from reaching the detector or the subject;
• wherein substantially only x-rays that pass through the first open through slot and the second open through slot to split the x-ray beam to form at least a first beam portion and a second beam portion to reach the subject or the detector.

A method of creating a long view image of a subject comprising:

• positioning an image detector at a first position relative to a subject;
• dividing and shaping a single emitted beam of x-rays into at least a first beam having a first beam area, a second beam having a second beam area, and a third beam having a third beam area, each of the first, second, and third beam areas being a separate beam area from the single omitted beam of x-rays;
• moving the image detector and the single emitted beam of x-rays along a path relative to the subject from the first position to a second position;
• collecting a first plurality of image data portions based on the first beam as the image detector is moved to a plurality of intermediate positions between the first position and the second position;
• collecting a second plurality of image data portions based on the second beam as the image detector is moved to the plurality of intermediate positions between the first position and the second position;
• collecting a third plurality of image data portions based on the third beam as the image detector is moved to the plurality of intermediate positions between the first position and the second position;
• generating a first intermediate image based on the collected first plurality of image data portions;
• generating a second intermediate image based on the collected second plurality of image data portions;
• and
• generating a third intermediate image based on the collected third plurality of image data portions.