Imaging system with one or more mask units and corresponding method of recording radiation

A method of recording radiation data in an imaging system having an actuator, the method comprising:

• forming a first mask unit with a hollow cavity surrounding a rotational axis, and a surface;
• encoding a first pattern on the surface of the first mask unit, the first pattern including respective plurality of elements with at least one open element in each of the axial direction and a circumferential direction and at least one blocking element in each of the axial direction and the circumferential direction, the first pattern defining a height along an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis;
• configuring a detector to receive radiation data from at least one source such that one of the detector and the at least one source is located inside the hollow cavity and another of the detector and the at least one source is located outside the hollow cavity;
• and
• moving the first mask unit, via the actuator, including sequentially rotating the first mask unit along the circumferential direction and incrementally translating the first mask unit along the axial direction until the first pattern is at least partially recorded by the detector and the height of the first pattern is traversed.

An imaging system comprising:

• a first mask unit having a surface and a hollow cavity surrounding a rotational axis;
• an actuator configured to move the first mask unit;
• wherein the first mask unit is characterized by a first pattern encoded on the surface, the first pattern defining a height along an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis;
• wherein the first pattern includes a respective plurality of elements with at least one open element in each of the axial direction and a circumferential direction and at least one blocking element in each of the axial direction and the circumferential direction;
• a detector configured to receive radiation data from at least one source such that one of the detector and the at least one source is located inside the hollow cavity and another of the detector and the at least one source is located outside the hollow cavity;
• wherein the first pattern extends along at least two directions, including the axial direction and the circumferential direction;
• and
• wherein the actuator is configured to sequentially rotate the first mask unit along the circumferential direction and incrementally translate the first mask unit along the axial direction until the height of the first pattern is traversed and the first pattern is at least partially recorded by the detector.

A method of recording radiation data in an imaging system having an actuator, the method comprising:

• forming a first mask unit with a hollow cavity surrounding a rotational axis, and a surface;
• encoding a first pattern on the surface of the first mask unit, including arranging the first pattern in a single direction and wrapping the first pattern around the first mask unit in a slant such that respective positions of the respective plurality of elements forms a helical route, the first pattern including respective plurality of elements with at least one open element in each of the axial direction and a circumferential direction and at least one blocking element in each of the axial direction and the circumferential direction, the first pattern defining a height along an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis;
• configuring a detector to receive radiation data from at least one source such that one of the detector and the at least one source is located inside the hollow cavity and another of the detector and the at least one source is located outside the hollow cavity;
• and
• moving the first mask unit, via the actuator, along the helical route until the height of the pattern is traversed and the first pattern is at least recorded by the detector.