Dual energy imaging using optically coupled digital radiography system

An optically-coupled digital radiography system for simultaneously producing multiple images of differing energies of a subject from a single x-ray exposure of the subject, the system comprising:

• (a) a first scintillator that produces a visible first image when subjected to an x-ray exposure of a subject;
• (b) a first digital camera positioned out of the path of the x-ray exposure and optically coupled to the first scintillator for capturing the first image;
• (c) an x-ray filter positioned in the path of the x-ray exposure and downstream of the first scintillator, for selectively attenuating a portion of the x-ray spectrum of the x-rays that have passed through the first scintillator;
• (d) a second scintillator positioned in the path of the x-ray exposure and downstream of the filter and that produces a visible second image when subjected to x-rays that have passed through the filter, the second image being different than the first image;
• (e) a second digital camera positioned out of the path of the x-ray exposure and optically coupled to the second scintillator for capturing the second image;
• and
• (f) said first digital camera positioned so as to capture said first image without said first image ever having been combined with said second image.

An optically-coupled digital radiography system for simultaneously producing multiple images of differing energies of a subject from a single x-ray exposure of the subject, the system comprising:

• (a) a first scintillator comprising a first fluorescing material that produces a visible first image when subjected to an x-ray exposure of a subject,
• (b) a first digital camera positioned out of the path of the x-ray exposure and optically coupled to the first scintillator, for capturing the first image;
• (c) a second scintillator positioned in the path of the x-ray exposure and downstream of the first scintillator and comprising a second fluorescing material that responds sufficiently differently to the x-ray exposure than the first fluorescing material, to produce a visible second image that is different from the first image;
• (d) a second digital camera positioned out of the path of the x-ray exposure and optically coupled to the second scintillator, for capturing the second image;
• and
• (e) said first digital camera positioned so as to capture said first image without said first image ever having been combined with said second image.

An optically-coupled digital radiography system for simultaneously producing multiple images of differing energies of a subject from a single x-ray exposure of the subject, the system comprising:

• (a) a first scintillator comprising a first fluorescing material that produces a visible first image when subjected to an x-ray exposure of a subject,
• (b) a first digital camera positioned out of the path of the x-ray exposure and optically coupled to the first scintillator, for capturing the first image;
• (c) a second scintillator positioned in the path of the x-ray exposure and downstream of the first scintillator and comprising a second fluorescing material that responds sufficiently differently to the x-ray exposure than the first fluorescing material, to produce a visible second image that is different from the first image;
• (d) a second digital camera positioned out of the path of the x-ray exposure and optically coupled to the second scintillator, for capturing the second image;
• and
• (e) a first reflector optically coupled to the first scintillator and the first digital camera, and a second reflector optically coupled to the second scintillator and the second digital camera.