Focused x-ray scatter reduction grid
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsHoward S. Feldmesser, Paul R. Falk, Thomas J. Beck, Harry K. Charles Jr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An X-ray scatter reduction grid includes a first layer having a plurality of cell. The cells have a perimeter formed of an X-ray absorbing material. The shape of the perimeters can vary, but a polygonal shape is preferred. The grid can also include other layers, each with their own cells. The cells of the subsequent other layers are larger than and offset from the cells of the prior layer. The increased size of the cells allows a primary ray passing through the center of a first layer cell to also pass through the center of a subsequent layer cell. This allows for a maximum of primary ray passthrough and a maximum of scatter absorption.
Claims16
An X-ray scatter reduction grid, comprising:
- a first layer including a first plurality of cells, each of said first plurality of cells having a center and a perimeter, said perimeter comprising an X-ray absorbing material, wherein a circle circumscribed about one of said first plurality of cells has a radius equal to a first distance;
- a second layer including a second plurality of cells, each of said second plurality of cells having a center and a perimeter formed of an X-ray absorbing material, wherein a circle circumscribed about one of said second plurality of cells has a radius equal to a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance;
- and
- wherein said second layer is positioned with respect to said first layer such that an X-ray passing through the center of a first layer cell will also pass through the center of a second layer cell;
- and
- wherein said perimeters have a shape selected from the group consisting of a triangle, a trapezoid, a rhombus, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, and an octagon.
An X-ray scatter reduction grid, comprising:
- a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
- a first layer of X-ray absorbing material on said first surface, said first layer having a first passage formed therein;
- and
- a second layer of X-ray absorbing material on said second surface, said second layer having a second passage formed therein.
A method of reducing X-ray scatter, comprising:
- providing an X-ray scatter reduction grid having a first layer including a first plurality of cells, each of said first plurality of cells having a center and a perimeter, said perimeter comprising an X-ray absorbing material, wherein a circle circumscribed about one of said first plurality of cells has a radius equal to a first distance, and wherein said perimeter has a shape selected from the group consisting of a triangle, a trapezoid, a rhombus, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, and an octagon;
- placing said X-ray scatter reduction grid intermediate an object to be imaged and an X-ray receptor;
- and
- passing X-rays through said object such that said X-rays will pass through said X-ray scatter reduction grid after passing through said object and prior to encountering said receptor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.