Dual-energy x-ray detector providing spatial and temporal interpolation
AssigneeLunar Corporation
InventorsRichard B. Mazess, David M. Gauntt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A side-by-side x-ray detector provides dual energy measurements in a scanned configuration where high and low energy detector elements are interspersed. Alternating high and low energy detector elements in both row and column allows for interpolation and time and space providing virtual measurements at identical times and locations reducing image artifacts and errors caused by edges in the image. The resulting detector may be suitable for a variety of imaging applications including medical densitometry and baggage scanning.
Claims14
A dual energy x-ray detector comprising:
- solid-state low energy x-ray detector elements each detecting incident low energy x-rays along the radiation axis over a predetermined detector area to produce a first electronic signal proportional to the incident high energy x-rays;
- and
- solid state high energy detector elements each detecting incident high energy x-rays along the radiation axis over a predetermined detector area to produce a second electronic signal proportional to the incident high energy x-rays;
- wherein the low and high energy detector elements are separated into side-by-side element rows, the rows displaced in a direction across the radiation axis.
A method of acquiring dual energy incidence data with a dual energy detector having two adjacent multi-element rows of detector elements, the rows separating low energy detector elements detecting incident low energy photons each over a predetermined detector area from high energy detector elements detecting incident high energy photons each over a predetermined detector area, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) at a first time, acquiring data at a first location with respect to an imaged object from the detectors of the first row;
- (b) moving the rows of detector elements generally perpendicular to the extension of the row with respect to the imaged object;
- (c) at a second time, acquiring data at the first position from the detectors of the second row;
- and
- (d) combining the data acquired at the first and second times to provide a dual energy measurement.
A bone densitometer comprising:
- (a) an x-ray source producing a beam of x-ray radiation;
- (b) a patient support positioning a patient within the poly-energetic beam;
- (c) a dual energy detector receiving the beam after it has passed through the patient to generate electrical signals indicating the attenuation of the beam by the patient within distinct first and second energy ranges, the dual energy detector including at least two multi-element rows separating low energy detector elements detecting incident low energy photons each over a predetermined detector area from high energy detector elements detecting incident high energy photons each over a predetermined detector area;
- wherein the first and second rows are side by side so as to simultaneously receive photons but from different portions of the patient;
- and
- (d) an electronic computer receiving and combining the electrical signals to produce a bone density image based on the attenuation of the x-ray radiation in the first and second energy ranges.
A baggage scanning system comprising:
- (a) an x-ray source producing a beam of x-ray radiation;
- (b) a bag conveyor moving the bag across the beam;
- (c) a dual energy detector receiving the beam after it has passed through baggage to generate electrical signals indicating the attenuation of the beam by the baggage within distinct first and second energy ranges, the dual energy detector including at least two multi-element rows separating low energy detector elements detecting incident low energy photons each over a predetermined detector area from high energy detector elements detecting incident high energy photons each over a predetermined detector area;
- wherein the first and second rows are side by side so as to simultaneously receive photons but from different portions of the baggage;
- and
- (d) an electronic computer receiving and combining the electrical signals to produce a material differentiating image based on the attenuation of the x-ray radiation in the first and second energy ranges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.