Graphite composite X-ray transparent patient support

An X-ray machine system having an X-ray emitter, a film cassette and a patient support having a longitudinal axis and end portions disposed between the emitter and the film cassette wherein the patient support comprises, a supporting platform having a shell, a portion of said shell being fabricated from a plurality of layers of generally radiolucent unidirectional graphite fiber epoxy composite, each layer having a longitudinal axis, the graphite fibers in each layer being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the layer and the composite layers being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support, an inner core fabricated from a generally radiolucent polyurethane foam, said inner core being joined to said composite layers by a generally radiolucent bonding epoxy, means for closing the end portions of said shell, and means for attaching the support to a stand.