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US 5,610,967 AGranted
X-ray grid assembly
AssigneeCardiac Mariners, Inc.
InventorsJack W. Moorman, Brian Skillicorn, John W. Wilent, deceased, Alan C. Abel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
Claims24
An x-ray grid assembly comprising
- a plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets, each comprising a plurality of x-ray transmissive areas arranged in a regular pattern;
- said plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets arranged one atop the other to form a substantially planar stack;
- said x-ray transmissive areas of each sheet aligned with the x-ray transmissive areas of the immediately adjacent sheets to form an x-ray transmissive passage through said stack;
- an axis of each of said x-ray transmissive passages forming an angle ranging from 40.degree. to 90.degree. with the plane of said stack and substantially converging at a single spot;
- a first endplate and a second endplate each comprised of an x-ray transmissive material;
- said first endplate arranged adjacent a first surface of said stack and said second endplate arranged adjacent a second surface of said stack;
- a target and a coolant chamber wherein said coolant chamber disposed between said first endplate and said target and said target is comprised of a target support and an x-ray emitting layer.
4 more elements
An x-ray target assembly comprising
- a plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets, each comprising a plurality of x-ray transmissive apertures arranged in a regular pattern and alignment apertures precisely located in the same location on each of said sheets;
- said plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets arranged one atop the other in a frame to form a substantially planar stack, alignment pins occupying said alignment apertures;
- said x-ray transmissive apertures of each sheet aligned with the x-ray transmissive apertures of the immediately adjacent sheets to form an x-ray transmissive passage through said stack;
- an axis of each of said x-ray transmissive passages substantially converging at a single spot;
- a first endplate and a second endplate each comprised of an x-ray transmissive material;
- said first endplate arranged adjacent a first surface of said stack and said second endplate arranged adjacent a second surface of said stack;
- said stack and said endplates securely held in said frame;
- a target comprising a target support and an x-ray emitting layer secured to one end of said frame, and
- a coolant chamber arranged between said first endplate and said target support.
6 more elements
An x-ray grid assembly comprising
- a first plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets, each comprising a plurality of x-ray transmissive areas arranged in a regular pattern, said first plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets comprised of a material having a high atomic number;
- a second plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets, each comprising a plurality of x-ray transmissive areas arranged in a regular pattern, said second plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets comprised of a material having a low atomic number;
- said first plurality and second plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets arranged one atop the other to form a substantially planar stack;
- said x-ray transmissive areas of each sheet aligned with the x-ray transmissive areas of the immediately adjacent sheets to form an x-ray transmissive passage through said stack;
- an axis of each of said x-ray transmissive passages forming an angle ranging from 40.degree. to 90.degree. with the plane of said stack and substantially converging at a single spot;
- a first endplate and a second endplate each comprised of an x-ray transmissive material;
- said first endplate arranged adjacent a first surface of said stack and said second endplate arranged adjacent a second surface of said stack;
- a target and a coolant chamber wherein said coolant chamber is disposed between said first endplate and said target and said target is comprised of a target support and an x-ray emitting layer and said first plurality of sheets are arranged adjacent said first endplate and said second plurality of sheets are arranged adjacent said second endplate.
5 more elements
An x-ray grid assembly comprising
- a plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets, each comprising a plurality of x-ray transmissive areas arranged in a regular pattern;
- said plurality of x-ray absorbent sheets arranged one atop the other to form a substantially planar stack;
- said x-ray transmissive areas of each sheet aligned with the x-ray transmissive areas of the immediately adjacent sheets to form a first set and a second set of x-ray transmissive passages through said stack;
- the axis of each of said x-ray transmissive passages of said first set forming an angle ranging from 40.degree. to 90.degree. with the plane of said stack and substantially converging at a first spot, and the axis of each of said x-ray transmissive passages of said second set forming an angle ranging from 40.degree. to 90.degree. with the plane of said stack and substantially converging at a second spot;
- a first endplate and a second endplate each comprised of an x-ray transmissive material;
- said first endplate arranged adjacent a first surface of said stack and said second endplate arranged adjacent a second surface of said stack;
- a target and a coolant chamber wherein said coolant chamber is disposed between said first endplate and said target and said target is comprised of a target support and an x-ray emitting layer.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.