Abstract: A Soller slit device is provided for collimation of high energy radiation, such as X-ray or EUV radiation, and has a low angle of divergence (less than 0.1°) and a high transmission efficiency (60 to 80% or greater). The Soller slit is made up of multiple, parallel blades of low-density material, such as glass, mica, or the like, which can be treated to reduce reflectivity. The Soller slit device of the invention advantageously provides an increased peak intensity and decreased peak width in diffraction patterns produced in high energy diffractometry applications, such as X-ray diffractometry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a collimator assembly defined by a series of multi-piece collimator elements or plates that extend along at least one dimension of a scintillator pack. Each collimator element has a collimating component and a shielding component that are structurally independent from one another. The collimating components may be connected to the shielding components or separated by a small air gap. The shielding components are wider than the collimating components but the collimating components have a greater height. With this construction, the collimator assembly optimizes collimation and shielding with lower material requirements and reduced overall size.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a collimator includes mixing an x-ray absorbent material with at least one of a temporary binder and a temporary gel, and extruding the mixed x-ray absorbent material through a die to form a unitary collimator structure that is at least one of substantially honeycomb in shape and substantially rectangular in shape.

Abstract: An X-ray optical system for small angle scattering has a parabolic multilayer mirror and, so that switching to other X-ray incident optical systems for X-ray analysis can be easily performed. A parabolic multilayer mirror, an optical-path selecting slit device, a small-angle selecting slit device and a Soller slit are arranged between an X-ray source and a specimen-side slit. An X-ray beam having passed through the first aperture of an aperture slit plate is interrupted by the optical-path selecting slit. An X-ray beam having passed through the second aperture of the aperture slit plate is reflected at the reflecting surface of the multilayer mirror to become a parallel beam. This parallel beam passes through an aperture of the optical-path selecting slit device. The beam width is restricted by a narrow slit of the small-angle selecting slit device.

Abstract: Grids and collimators, for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, include at least a metal layer that is formed, for example, by electroplating/electroforming or casting. The metal layer includes top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of solid integrated walls. Each of the solid integrated walls extends from the top to bottom surface and has a plurality of side surfaces. The side surfaces of the solid integrated walls are arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer. At least some of the walls also can include projections extending into the respective openings formed by the walls.

Abstract: A method is for producing an antiscatter grid or collimator for a radiation type, which is formed from a base body of predeterminable geometry having transmission channels for primary radiation of the radiation type which extend between two opposite surfaces of the base body. In the method, the base body is constructed by use of a rapid prototyping technique by layer-wise solidification of a structural material, which is substantially transmissive to the radiation type, under the action of radiation. Inner surfaces of the base body in the transmission channels are coated with a material, which strongly absorbs the radiation type, up to a layer thickness which suffices to virtually completely absorb incident secondary radiation of the radiation type. The opposite surfaces of the base body are not coated, or are aftertreated in such a way that they do not bear a coating or bear a coating of greatly reduced layer thickness made from the material strongly absorbing the radiation type.

Abstract: The invention makes possible to increase the degree of radiation focusing by the lens, to use particles of higher energies, and to increase the coefficients, depending on these factors, of the devices, the lens is used in. Thus the sublens 18 of the least degree of integration represents a package of the channels 5, which is growing out of joint drawing and forming the capillaries, which are laid in a bundle. The sublens of each higher degree of integration represents a package of sublenses of the previous degree of integration, which is growing out of their joint drawing and forming. The sublenses are growing out of performing the said operations at the pressure of the gaseous medium inside the channels being higher than the pressure in the space between the sublenses of the previous degree of integration and at the temperature of their material softening and splicing the walls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a collimator assembly defined by a series of multi-piece collimator elements or plates that extend along at least one dimension of a scintillator pack. Each collimator element has a collimating component and a shielding component that are structurally independent from one another. The collimating components may be connected to the shielding components or separated by a small air gap. The shielding components are wider than the collimating components but the collimating components have a greater height. With this construction, the collimator assembly optimizes collimation and shielding with lower material requirements and reduced overall size.

Abstract: A radiation therapy device and a method of changing the spatial dose distribution surrounding a focus are disclosed. At least a subset of the radioactive sources in a source carrier is linearly displaceable relatively to at least a subset of collimator passage inlets, or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion beam scanning system having an ion source device, an ion acceleration system and an ion beam guidance system comprising an ion beam outlet window for a converging centered ion beam, and a mechanical alignment system for the target volume to be scanned. For that purpose, the ion acceleration system can be set to an acceleration of the ions required to obtain a maximum depth of penetration. The scanning system also has energy absorption means arranged in the path of the ion beam between the target volume and the ion beam outlet window transverse to the center of the ion beam. The energy absorption means can be displaced transverse to the center of the ion beam in order to vary the energy of the ion beam, so enabling, in the target volume, depth modulation of the ion beam, which is effected by means of a linear motor and the transverse displacement of the energy absorption means, with depth-staggered scanning of volume elements of the target volume in rapid succession.

Abstract: A lithography device including a soft X-ray source 1 transforming to a quasi-parallel radiation apparatus for placing a mask 3 and a plate-substrate 4 coated with a resist 5, and an absorbing filter 6 for smoothing of intensity decreasing as from the center to the periphery of a beam. The filter 6 is placed between the source 1 and the input face of the half-lens 2. The half-lens has an enlarged capture angle. This angle is chosen depending on radiation energy (0.6-6 keV) of the source 1. As a result, there is an opportunity to increase the size of the plate-substrate.

Abstract: An electron beam tomography (EBT) scanning system comprising an electron source generating an electron beam, a target ring that receives the electron beam and emits an x-ray fan beam upon impingement of the electron beam on the target ring, a pair of detector arrays arranged opposite the target ring, and a collimator arranged concentrically between the target ring and the pair of detector arrays. The collimator has interior and exterior walls concentrically arranged with one another and surrounding a patient examination area. The interior and exterior walls have a first set of apertures aligned to collimate the x-ray fan beam into a first collimated beam having a first width and a second collimated beam having a second width. Each collimated beam may form a single or double tomographic slice. The collimated beams are detected by the pair of detector arrays.

Abstract: A plurality of pinhole disks are superposed, fixed in position with the pinholes brought into alignment with the aid of a wire, a pin or light, and bonded or welded together to form a pinhole disk laminate. The laminate has an untapered deep enough center through-hole and is suitable as an order sorting aperture (OSA) in hard x-ray microscopy using a FZP.

Abstract: A method of providing with precision a number of long and narrow through holes (11) in a body (1) made of a high-density material. The body (1) is made in the form of a number of partial bodies (2, 2′, 2″), which are arranged close to each other and from the body (1). Each partial body (2, 2′, 2″) is defined by an outer surface (5), which is part of the outer surface of the entire body (1), an inner surface (6), which is part of the inner surface of the entire body (1), as well as a pair of boundary surfaces (7, 8), which extend from the outer surface (5) to the inner surface (6). Holes (11) are produced by machining at least one of the bounding surfaces (7, 8) adjacent partial bodies (2′, 2″). Each hole (11) extends from the outer surface (5) to the inner surface (6) along said at least one boundary surface (7, 8). The thus machined partial bodies (2, 2′, 2″) are fixedly attached to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-scatter grid for an X-ray device which serves to reduce scattered radiation generated in an object to be examined and includes a plurality of absorber laminations for the absorption of the scattered radiation and a channel medium which is transparent to X-rays and arranged between the absorber laminations. In order to enable notably simple and precise manufacture of such an anti-scatter grid while the primary radiation is attenuated as little as possible and scattered radiation is attenuated as much as possible, in accordance with the invention a non-elastic high-resistance foam, notably a polymethacrylimide high-resistance foam, is used as the channel medium. The invention also relates to a collimator, for example, for a single-photon emitter or a positron emitter, in which a non-elastic high-resistance foam is also used as the channel medium between the laminations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for radiographic imaging, and nuclear medicine and x-ray mammography in particular, and material composition analysis are described. A detection system employs fixed or configurable arrays of one or more detector modules comprising detector arrays which may be electronically manipulated through a computer system. The detection system, by providing the ability for electronic manipulation, permits adaptive imaging. Detector array configurations include familiar geometries, including slit, slot, plane, open box, and ring configurations, and customized configurations, including wearable detector arrays, that are customized to the shape of the patient. Conventional, such as attenuating, rigid geometry, and unconventional collimators, such as x-ray optic, configurable, Compton scatter modules, can be selectively employed with detector modules and radiation sources.

Abstract: A collimator for an X-ray inspection apparatus is provided comprising a carrier having a planar top surface; an arcuate base disposed on the carrier, comprising at least one arcuate bar section made from a radio-opaque material; and a plurality of radio-opaque collimator plates disposed on the arcuate base in a radial array with a bottom edge of each collimator plate in contact with the top surface of the arcuate base. A method for assembling such a collimator is also provided, as well as an alignment fixture useful for practicing the described method. The described structure, method, and alignment fixture permit the construction of large collimator assemblies while maintaining precision and minimizing cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high gain collimator producing generally uniform intensity profiles for use in lithography and other applications. A focusing optic is also provided. The collimator includes a reflector and guide channel. The guide channel preferably includes polycapillary tubes and/or microchannel plates. The polycapillary tubes are used to collimate or focus the central portion of the x-ray beam in a circular, elliptic, square, or rectangular shape. A conical, parabolic resonance reflector or grazing incidence reflector with a shape similar to the polycapillary collimator is used to increase the solid angle collected and produce a circular, square, etc. annular x-ray beam whose inside dimensions are approximately equal to the exit dimensions of the polycapillary collimator.

Abstract: A method an arrangement in an x-ray imaging apparatus (10), includes at least one x-ray source (11), a collimator (42, 52, 62a, 62b, 72) and a detcetor (43, 73); the arrangement is arranged for providing a variable exposure of the dector (43, 73) to x-ray radiation from the x-ray source (10) through slots (45, 55, 65a, 65b, 75) on the collimator (42, 52, 62a, 62b, 72). The arrangement comprises at least one of the collimator (42, 52, 62a, 62b, 72) or registering means (43, 73), which are arranged moveable relative each other to vary number of x-rays registered by the dector.

Abstract: A detector unit for detecting X rays passed through a collimator having a plurality of collimator single plates, includes a substrate attached to a collimator support for supporting the collimator, a photodetecting device array including photodetecting devices mounted on the substrate, a scintillator block arranged corresponding to the photodetecting device array and provided on the photodetecting device array to convert the X rays into light, and an engaging component having an engaging portion provided on the collimator single plate side of the substrate, and engaged with the collimator single plate to regulate a position of the photodetecting device array or the scintillator block in a channel direction with respect to the collimator single plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator including providing a plate-like body, coating a predetermined portion of a surface of the body with an x-ray absorbing material, and machining at least one collimating slit through the coating and the plate-like body. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coating is applied through a thermal spray process. According to another exemplary embodiment, wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used to machine the collimating slits. A collimator manufactured in accordance with the presently disclosed method produces precise energy beam cross-sections, yet is less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An X-ray scatter reduction grid includes a first layer having a plurality of cells. The cells have a perimeter formed of an X-ray absorbing material. The shape of the perimeters can vary, but a polygonal shape is preferred. The grid can also include other layers, each with their own cells. The cells of the subsequent other layers are larger than and offset from the cells of the prior layer. The increased size of the cells allows a primary ray passing through the center of a first layer cell to also pass through the center of a subsequent layer cell. This allows for a maximum of primary ray passthrough and a maximum of scatter absorption.

Abstract: A method for calibration and/or quality assurance of nuclear medicine imaging, in which functional information of the organs to be studied is achieved by inserting radioactive solution emitting detectable radiation in the organs of a phantom simulating the organs to be studied and by detecting the radiation. The filling and emptying of the organs of the phantom to be studied is simulated by regulation of the detectable radiation from the phantom. The organs to be simulated by the phantom are in form of containers filled with radioactive solution, the apparatus further comprising movable isolating parts, like steel plates, between the containers and the gamma camera to isolate radiation from the containers to the camera. The invention is also concerned with an arrangement comprising the apparatus of the invention and a gamma camera.

Abstract: A method for detecting ionizing radiation, a detector (64) for detection of ionizing radiation, and an apparatus for use in planar beam radiography, including the detector. The detector includes: a chamber filled with an ionizable gas; first and second electrode arrangements (2, 1, 18, 19) provided in the chamber with a space between them, the space including a conversion volume (13); an electron avalanche amplification unit (17) arranged in the chamber; and, at least one arrangement of read-out elements (15) for detection of electron avalanches. Radiation enters the conversion volume between the first and second electrode arrangements via a radiation entrance. The distance between the first and second electrode arrangements is selected to achieve discrimination of fluorescent photons and/or long-range electrons, in order to achieve improved position resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanned-slot x-ray imaging system, having a first collimator and a second collimator arranged in a first distance (a) and a second distance (b), respectively, from a radiation source and each provided with a slot and a detector located under the second collimator slot, said slot of said second collimator being wider than the said slot of said first collimator and said detector under the second slot is wider than the first collimator slot and the second collimator slot. The slot of said second collimator has a width (y′) not less than a safety margin and the product of the width (x) of the slot of said first collimator and said second distance (b) divided with the said first distance (a) for allowing a misalignment with respect to a central symmetry line of said slots.

Abstract: In apparatus for radiation analysis, for example, X-ray spectrometers, the aperture angle of the analysing radiation beam 45 is often desired to vary during the measuring process. The aperture angle of the radiation beam is determined, for example, by the length of the collimating elements 46, 60 in the collimator. In accordance with the invention, this is achieved by displacing or rotating the collimator through the radiation beam 45, so that the collimating element length L exposed to the radiation beam can be varied in consequence. A collimator comprising rectangular plates 46 (Soller collimator) can be rotated around a shaft 50 perpendicular to the plates, or a collimator comprising X-ray fibres 60 can be arranged with varying fibre lengths and displace them through the radiation beam transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fibres.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for constructing a post-patient collimator for a computed tomographic (CT) imaging system, the method including steps of: edge welding collimator plates to a top rail using at least one directed energy beam welder; and edge welding the collimator plates to a bottom rail, using the at least one directed energy beam welder. The above described embodiment provides an efficient and less expensive method for manufacturing a post-patient collimator for a CT imaging system than embodiments requiring use of precision combs for accurately positioning the plates.

Abstract: Image contrast grids include a body having openings and an x-ray absorbing material in the openings. The openings can be formed by various micromachining techniques and the x-ray absorbing material can be formed in the openings by various coating and deposition techniques. The image contrast grids can have contoured surfaces for improved focusing capabilities. The image contrast grids can remove Compton scattered x-rays in two, non-normal dimensions. The openings can be formed with fine structures that are not visible in most imaging modes.

Abstract: An x-ray technique-based nonintrusive inspection apparatus is provided which is capable of inspecting 600 containers an hour which is small, and which is easily maintainable. Features of the apparatus include “radiation locking” with “active curtains”, “continuous scanning” utilizing an x-ray line scanner subsystem and a CT scanner subsystem, good structural integrity, radiation containment in a self-shielding manner, an easily maintainable driving arrangement, shielding curtains that can be raised and lowered quickly, a container jam release mechanism, and efficient air conditioning.

Abstract: A collimator having slits of varied widths, wherein each slit includes a curved side profile having a common axis of curvature for providing a cross-section of an emitted beam of energy with a substantially uniform width when the common axis of curvature of the slit intersects a focal spot of a source of the beam. The collimator is curved about a rotation axis substantially normal to the common axis of curvature, such that rotating the collimator about the rotation axis will sequentially position the slits to collimate the emitted beam.

Abstract: A coded aperture is placed in proximity of a patient's body and a 2D coded image is acquired in conventional manner. The basic data-acquisition geometry is similar to that used in various coded-aperture systems. According to one aspect of the invention, additional coded images are acquired with different spacings between the aperture and the detector. Alternatively, additional coded images could be acquired with multiple movable apertures or by varying the location of the aperture relative to a patient. Another aspect of the invention resides in the recognition that presently available computer algorithms can process these multiple coded images in such a way as to estimate the integrals of the 3D object over a set of parallel cylindrical tubes extending through the volume of the target object. Such “tube integrals” can be thought of as the output of an ideal collimator where the sensitivity is confined to a tubular region of constant cross-section.

Abstract: A collimator system including a plurality of revolvable plates stacked one above another, the plates being constructed of a material substantially impervious to passage therethrough of radiation in a predetermined range of wavelengths, and at least one collimator aperture formed in each of the plates.

Abstract: A collimator 100 for use in a radiation imaging system 10, and a method for making such collimators, are provided, wherein the collimator 100 is capable of collimating radiation in two orthogonal planes. The collimator in one embodiment includes a block 101 of radiation absorbing material having a plurality of focally aligned channels 102 extending therethrough; in a second embodiment, the collimator includes first and second collimation 204, 212 sections having a respective first plurality of focally aligned plate sets 201 and a respective second plurality of focally aligned plate sets 203 disposed orthogonally to the first plurality of plate sets. The method for making the collimator includes generating a CAD drawing, generating from the CAD drawing one or more stereo-lithographic files, and using the stereo-lithographic files to control an electro-deposition machining machine which creates the channels in the block.

Abstract: A collimator 100 for use in a radiation imaging system 10, and a method for making such collimators, are provided, wherein the collimator 100 is capable of collimating radiation in two orthogonal planes. The collimator in one embodiment includes a block 101 of radiation absorbing material having a plurality of focally aligned channels 102 extending therethrough; in a second embodiment, the collimator includes first and second collimation 204, 212 sections having a respective first plurality of focally aligned plate sets 201 and a respective second plurality of focally aligned plate sets 203 disposed orthogonally to the first plurality of plate sets. The method for making the collimator includes generating a CAD drawing, generating from the CAD drawing one or more stereo-lithographic files, and using the stereo-lithographic files to control an electro-deposition machining machine which creates the channels in the block.

Abstract: In order to increase the ruggedness and the scattered radiation attenuation quality, a grid (3) with comb elements (12) which absorb electromagnetic radiation and are intended to form a grid is constructed, in such a manner that comb lamellae (11) extend transversely of an associated comb base surface which supports the comb lamellae (11).

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an object with transmitted and/or scattered penetrating radiation using either a fan beam or multiple pencil beams while maintaining resolution comparable to that achievable using a single scannable pencil beam. The system and method provide for spatial resolution of transmitted radiation using a fan beam or multiple pencil beams and a nonsegmented detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for collimating particle emanations, whether photons or material particles, comprises a collimator plate and a motion means. The collimator plate is made of an attenuating material capable of attenuating the particle emanations. The collimator has a plurality of apertures of defined cross-sectional diameter, cross-sectional shape and three-dimensional distribution which restricts the emanations to pass through the plate in a plurality of defined collimated beams. The motion means moves the collimator to enable the plurality of collimated beams to form a defined combined beam having a preselected cross-sectional distribution of flux, when averaged over a specified time. The resolution of the collimator is essentially the cross-sectional diameter of the apertures, which is limited only by technical manufacturing capabilities.

Abstract: A radiation source and a radiation detector are located with an object intervening therebetween. A set of radiation blocking plates, each of which has at least one slit, are located between the radiation source and the radiation detector such that the object intervenes between the radiation blocking plates, and such that the slits of the radiation blocking plates are aligned in a straight line with the radiation source. The set of the radiation blocking plates are shifted stepwise in a direction along which radiation having been produced by the radiation source scans the object, such that the state in which the slits of the radiation blocking plates and the radiation source are aligned with one another in the straight line is kept. After each step of the shifting, the radiation source, the set of the radiation blocking plates, and the radiation detector are rotated around the object. Radiation image patterns of the object are recorded during the rotation.

Abstract: A non-destructive inspection apparatus has a radiation source, a radiation detector, a radiation source diver, a detector driver, a drive controller, a delay circuit, a radiation signal processing circuit, a memory, a computer, a display device, and an input device. The radiation detector consists of one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of detectors having a long collimator whose pores are in parallel with the radiation angle of the radiation emitted in an angular pattern from the radiation source, whereby a transmission image of a large size structure can be obtained at high speed and with a high resolution. Furthermore, the detect position in an inspection object can be specified by analyzing a plurality of specified transmission images using the inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A soller slit includes a plurality of metal foils and a plurality of spacers. The spacers are laminated alternatively with the metal foils to support one end portions of the metal foils with a space between adjacent metal foils. The other end portions of the metal foils are opened to be unsupported as a free end. When the soller slit is used in an X-ray apparatus, other X-ray optical components, such as monochromator or a specimen to be analyzed, then the soller slit can be arranged in contact with or in the vicinity of the unsupported end portions of the soller slit. That is, it is possible to unify the soller slit and other X-ray optical components in an assembled state. Therefore, a space dedicated to the soller slit becomes unnecessary. Further, since it is possible to shorten a passage of X-rays correspondingly, attenuation of X-rays to be detected by the X-ray detector can be avoided.

Abstract: An inspection system is for inspecting an object with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation provides a beam of radiation. The beam alternates between a first beam shape and a second beam shape, the first and second beam shapes being coplanar. A first detector arrangement is for detecting penetrating radiation from a portion of the beam transmitted through the object and generating a transmitted radiation signal. A second detector arrangement is for detecting penetrating radiation from a portion of the beam scattered by the object and generating a scattered radiation signal. A processor determines at least one characteristic of the object based at least on the transmitted and scattered radiation signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining a high-resolution digital image of an object or objects irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum. The apparatus comprises a detector matrix and a radiation mask. The detector matrix comprises a plurality of detector pixels, each comprising a detection surface having a respective surface area which generates a signal in response to an energy stimulus. The radiation mask has an opaque portion, and a plurality of apertures. The aperture size and position relative to the detector array determines the image resolution not the size of the detector pixels.

Abstract: A dual beam modulator (10) includes a rotatable cylinder (12) having annular walls (14, 15) and a set of a plurality of discrete chordal passages (18) extending through the walls between opposing holes in the outer surface of cylinder walls (14, 15). Each of the passages (18) is spaced radially about each of the walls (14, 15) and longitudinally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder (12) for producing, in response to an incident fan beam of radiation (30), a series of discrete pencil beams (28) as the cylinder (12) rotates. The cylinder (12) further has reduced radius sections (16, 17) on the outer surface of the walls (14, 15) for periodically passing the incident fan beam (30) alternately with the series of pencil beams (28) as the cylinder (12) rotates.

Abstract: A soller slit is disclosed, which includes a plurality of metal foils and functions to restrict divergence of X-rays when arranged on an X-ray optical path. The metal foils are prepared by sintering a metal material such that surface thereof have high harmonic surface roughness. Alternatively, the metal foil has oxides formed by oxidation on the surfaces thereof such that the oxides can provide the high harmonic surface roughness. The high harmonic surface roughness of the metal foil restricts total reflection of X-rays at the metal foil. Therefore, it is possible to form high precision parallel X-ray beams by the soller slit to thereby improve resolution in an X-ray measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an object, where both a fan beam and a pencil beam of penetrating radiation are used to illuminating the object concurrently. Both beams may be derived from a single source of penetrating radiation. The pencil beam is noncoplanar with the fan beam and may be scanned with respect to the object. Radiation scattered from the pencil beam within the object is detected, and the scatter signal thus generated is used in conjunction with a transmission signal which characterizes attenuation of the fan beam by the object.

Abstract: A focused radiation collimator for collimating radiation emitted from a radiation point source located at a substantially known focal distance from the collimator is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosed collimator, the collimator is formed by at least two collimator layer groups, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the collimator layer groups have a plurality of layer group passages arranged there through in a predetermined pattern which is unique to the layer group but which, with the passages of the other collimator layer group in the aligned stack, additively form a plurality of collimator through channels which are substantially aimed at the radiation point source. Each collimating layer group is formed by at least two substantially identical radiation absorbing layers, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A collimator 100 for use in a radiation imaging system 10, and a method for making such collimators, are provided, wherein the collimator 100 is capable of collimating radiation in two orthogonal planes. The collimator in one embodiment includes a block 101 of radiation absorbing material having a plurality of focally aligned channels 102 extending therethrough; in a second embodiment, the collimator includes first and second collimation204, 212 sections having a respective first plurality of focally aligned plate sets 201 and a respective second plurality of focally aligned plate sets 203 disposed orthogonally to the first plurality of plate sets. The method for making the collimator includes generating a CAD drawing, generating from the CAD drawing one or more stereo-lithographic files, and using the stereo-lithographic files to control an electro-deposition machining machine which creates the channels in the block.

Abstract: An x-ray beam hardening filter is disclosed. The x-ray beam hardening filter comprises a support member and a beam hardening sheet, the beam hardening sheet having a multidimensional array of regularly spaced apertures. The apertures are configured to have an x-ray transmissive quality. An actuator, engaging the support member, is capable of moving the multidimensional array of apertures into or out of a path of an x-ray beam, thereby selectively introducing varying levels of x-ray energy filtration. In one embodiment, multiple layers of beam hardening sheets are added to the x-ray beam hardening filter to create additional levels of x-ray energy filtration. Advantages of the x-ray beam hardening filter include the relatively small distance the x-ray beam hardening filter must move in order to absorb the incident x-ray beam, the ability to introduce varying levels of x-ray filtration, and the compact structure of the x-ray beam hardening filter.

Abstract: A gamma ray collimator for use in a cardiac inspections system is disclosed which resolves energetically unperturbed gamma rays emitted from a patient and removes inelastic scattered gamma rays. A plurality of collimator elements each have walls, with each wall defining a plane comprised of a first material layer covered by a second material layer and absorbing inelastic scattered gamma rays, the planes being parallel to a central longitudinal axis in each of the collimator elements. The walls of each collimator element define an elongated longitudinal passageway having open ends through which the energetically unperturbed gamma rays enter and leave. The first material layer has a large absorption coefficient for gamma rays, and the second material layer has a large absorption coefficient for inelastically scattered gamma rays generated in the first material layer responsive to gamma rays emitted from the patient.