Abstract: An X-ray apparatus is provided for inspecting a cargo container. The apparatus includes a moveable platform with an X-ray source and X-ray detector disposed on the platform on opposing sides of a scanning zone where the scanning zone may be moved along a length of the cargo container to scan a volume of the cargo container, said X-ray source being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the scanning zone. The X-ray apparatus also includes a precollimator disposed on the X-ray platform between the X-ray source and scanning zone, said precollimator being located proximate the scanning zone and an intermediate collimator disposed midway between the X-ray source and the precollimator, said intermediate collimator having a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the precollimator and to the X-ray source.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus are described for inspecting a cargo container. The method includes the steps of disposing an X-ray source and an X-ray detector on opposing ends of a rotatable boom, rotating the boom in a horizontal plane so that the X-ray source and X-ray detector straddle the cargo container and providing translational relative movement between the boom and cargo container while the X-ray source irradiates the container and the X-ray detector detects and measures X-ray energy passing through the container from the X-ray source.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus are described for inspecting a cargo container. The method includes the steps of disposing an X-ray source and an X-ray detector on opposing ends of a rotatable boom, rotating the boom in a horizontal plane so that the X-ray source and X-ray detector straddle the cargo container and providing translational relative movement between the boom and cargo container while the X-ray source irradiates the container and the X-ray detector detects and measures X-ray energy passing through the container from the X-ray source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying contents of a nuclear waste container. The method includes the steps of forming an image of the contents of the container using digital radiography, visually comparing contents of the image with expected contents of the container and performing computer tomography on the container when the visual inspection reveals an inconsistency between the contents of the image and the expected contents of the container.

Abstract: A dynamic focusing device is provided for an X-ray scanner, the device comprising at least one detector module located in a position to receive, be illuminated by, and respond to X-rays. A source of X-rays is movable toward or away from the detector module. The module comprising a plurality of crystals each having a scintillation surface located in a common plane, with a plurality of septa separating the crystals. The septa have a height which is upstanding above the surfaces of the crystals far enough to reduce lateral X-ray scatter and to cast a shadow upon the surfaces of the crystals responsive to an illumination thereof from said X-ray source. The invention dynamically positions the detector module relative to the distance between the detector module and the source of X-rays in order to reduce substantially to a minimum any shadow in the X-rays cast by the septa upon the surfaces of the crystals.

Abstract: A dynamic focusing device is provided for an X-ray scanner, the device comprising at least one detector module located in a position to receive, be illuminated by, and respond to X-rays. A source of X-rays is movable toward or away from the detector module. The module comprises a plurality of crystals each having a scintillation surface located in a common plane, with a plurality of septa separating the crystals. The septa have a height which is upstanding above the surfaces of the crystals far enough to reduce lateral X-ray scatter and to cast a shadow upon the surfaces of the crystals responsive to an illumination thereof from said X-ray source. The invention dynamically positions the detector module relative to the distance between the detector module and the source of X-rays in order to reduce substantially to a minimum any shadow in the X-rays cast by the septa upon the surfaces of the crystals.

Abstract: A dynamic focusing device is provided for an X-ray scanner, the device comprising at least one detector module located in a position to receive, be illuminated by, and respond to X-rays. A source of X-rays is movable toward or away from the detector module. The module comprises a plurality of crystals each having a scintillation surface located in a common plane, with a plurality of septa separating the crystals. The septa have a height which is upstanding above the surfaces of the crystals far enough to reduce lateral X-ray scatter and to cast a shadow upon the surfaces of the crystals responsive to an illumination thereof from said X-ray source. The invention dynamically positions the detector module relative to the distance between the detector module and the source of X-rays in order to reduce substantially to a minimum any shadow in the X-rays cast by the septa upon the surfaces of the crystals.

Abstract: A dynamic scanning X-ray machine has a detector with an array of crystals which respond to X-rays and a circuit made of semiconductor material, both of which deteriorate when exposed to X-rays. A pair of blinder plates which are opaque to X-rays normally cover the detector and semiconductor material to prevent their deterioration by the X-rays. The blinder plates are separated from each other by an adjustable distance to form a gap which enables the X-rays to reach the detector. An object under study and the blinders move in synchronism through the X-ray field so that a part of the X-ray field forming the shadow of the object passes through the gap formed by the separation between the blinder plates and falls upon the detector, while the detector crystals and semiconductor material are shielded from the remainder of the X-ray field. The shielding of the detector crystals and semiconductor material does not have any effect upon the image of the object under study.

Abstract: A dynamic focusing device is provided for an X-ray scanner, the device comprising at least one detector module located in a position to receive, be illuminated by, and respond to X-ray. A source of X-rays is movable toward or away from the detector module. The module comprises a plurality of crystals each having a scintillation surface located in a common plane, with a plurality of septa separating the crystals. The septa have a height which is upstanding above the surfaces of the crystals far enough to reduce lateral X-ray scatter and to cast a shadow upon the surfaces of the crystals responsive to an illumination thereof from said X-ray source. The invention dynamically positions the detector module relative to the distance between the detector module and the source of X-rays in order to reduce substantially to a minimum any shadow in the X-rays cast by the septa upon the surfaces of the crystals.

Abstract: An integrated CT scanner gantry assembly is provided wherein an open bore rotor is supported by a bearing assembly on an open bore stator. An x-ray assembly is mounted on the rotor and supplied with high voltage power during continuous rotation about the stator through use of a slip ring assembly which is mounted between the rotor and stator. The inside surface of the stator which faces a patient generally lies along the surface of a truncated cone to permit substantial tilting of the stator. Moreover, the stator and rotor have a cross section formed as a series of separated yet aligned steps to form two isolated cavitites therebetween, one of the cavities housing the cathode of the slip ring and the other of the cavities housing the anode of the slip ring. The cavitites can be filled with a gas or liquid high voltage insulating fluid and can be readily sealed to prevent leakage of said fluid.

Abstract: An integrated CT scanner gantry assembly is provided wherein an open bore rotor is supported by a bearing assembly on an open bore stator. An x-ray assembly is mounted on the rotor and supplied with high voltage power during continuous rotation about the stator through use of a slip ring assembly which is mounted between the rotor and stator. The inside surface of the stator which faces a patient generally lies along the surface of a truncated cone to permit substantial tilting of the stator. Moreover, the stator and rotor have a cross section formed as a series of separated yet aligned steps to form two isolated cavities therebetween, one of the cavities housing the cathode of the slip ring and the other of the cavities housing the anode of the slip ring. The cavities can be filled with a gas or liquid high voltage insulating fluid and can be readily sealed to prevent leakage of said fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the operation of a gamma camera which employs a planar scintillation crystal having a circumferential edge in the form of a mechanism and related method for cooling the crystal by thermally coupling the circumferential edge of the crystal to a heat sink and a mechanism and related method for applying pressure to the circumferential edge of the crystal sufficient to maintain the crystal in compression when cooled and thereby avoid cracking of the crystal due to temperature differentiation across the surface of the crystal.

Abstract: A collimator blade assembly for a computed tomographic X-ray scanner comprising a blade of X-ray beam stopping material having an aperture for passing X-rays and an X-ray penetrable member closing at least a portion of that aperture to reinforce the material and thereby minimize collimator blade/detector clearances while preventing undesirable collimator blade vibration.

Abstract: A CT scanner is described in which the data acquisition components, i.e. the radiation source and detectors, are mounted in an apertured housing which can be deployed generally vertically, for the examination of recumbent patients, or generally horizontally, for the examination of patients seated, or standing, with their torsos upright.