Multi-fluid elements device with controllable fluid level by means of matrix addressing

An X-ray examination device comprising:

• an X-ray source;
• an X-ray detector spaced from said X-ray source;
• and
• an X-ray filter arranged between said X-ray source and said X-ray detector, said X-ray filter comprising
• a reservoir for storing X-ray absorbing fluid;
• a plurality of fluid elements arranged in a matrix configuration having rows and columns, said fluid elements being in fluid communication with said reservoir, the level of fluid in each of said fluid elements being controllable by means of an electric force, said fluid elements comprising capillary tubes, each of said capillary tubes comprising a plurality of electrode segments electrically insulated from one another such that each of said segments is receivable of a different electric voltage;
• first means for applying an electric force to a number of selected fluid elements in one or more of said rows of fluid elements;
• and
• second means for applying an electric force to a number of selected fluid elements in one or more of said columns of fluid elements such that the fluid level rises in the selected fluid elements to which an electric force is applied by both said first means and said second means.

A fluid element device, comprising:

• a plurality of fluid elements arranged in a matrix configuration having rows and columns, the level of fluid in each of said fluid elements being controllable by means of an electric force;
• first means for applying an electric force to a number of selected fluid elements in one or more of said rows of fluid elements;
• second means for applying an electric force to a number of selected fluid elements in one or more of said columns of fluid elements such that the fluid level rises in the selected fluid elements to which an electric force is applied by both said first means and said second means;
• and
• fluid level retention means for maintaining the level of fluid in the selected elements, after the fluid has risen by the application of an electric force applied by both said first means and said second means, at the elevated level independent of the application of an electric force by said first means and said second means.