Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) image quality phantom for use in calibrating explosive detection systems (EDS) at airports. A foam core block containing up to five right cylinder rod members is positioned in a housing member which is adapted to be passed through an airport luggage scanning machine. The rod members are of different lengths in order to create different data slices for analysis. The housing has a lead-in member at least at one end in order to allow passage through an EDS more easily and provide accurate CT calibrating.

Abstract: A system for handling examination of an object includes an input for inputting examination request information, including a plurality of examination methods, for an object, and a performing device for performing examinations for the plurality of examination methods in an arbitrary order and obtaining results therefrom. In addition, an output outputs the results of the plurality of examination methods in a determined order regardless of an order in which the performing device has performed examinations for the plurality of examination methods.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus of an exposure apparatus includes a chamber, a substituting unit for substituting a gas in the chamber from a first gas to a second gas, a static pressure gas bearing provided in the chamber, a gas supply unit for supplying the second gas to the static pressure gas bearing, a control unit for controlling the gas supply unit to supply the second gas to the static pressure gas bearing when the substituting unit substitutes the gas in the chamber from the first gas to the second gas, and a bearing exhaust unit for exhausting the gas of the static pressure gas bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing single-point projection imaging uses an X-ray source and a line scan camera present at a set distance therefrom and provided with a digital detector. The X-ray source, as well as the line scan camera, are adapted to rotate around an object placed between the X-ray source and the line scan camera. The X-ray source's focal spot is aligned at a desired position and the object is then imaged by scanning it with a beam emanating from the X-ray source, which beam is received by the detector of the line scan camera. The scanning motion is effected in such a way that the focal spot remains essentially stationary during the imaging process.

Abstract: In a proximity X-ray exposure apparatus using a point source as a light source, a laser beam (21) is focused on a circular disk-like target (14) arranged in an X-ray source unit to irradiate it, thus generating a plasma and then X-rays (17). The circular disk-like target (14) has four types of quadrant first-, second-, third-, and fourth-wavelength light-emitting portions (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) which are made of different materials and divided equiangularly in the radial direction. The target (14) is rotatably controlled by a rotational drive mechanism in synchronism with pulse emission. As the rotational angle of the target (14) is controlled in synchronism with emission of the laser beam (21), the material (type) of the target (14) can be selected from the first-, second-, third-, and fourth-wavelength light-emitting portions (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d).

Abstract: Cone beam volume CT breast imaging is performed with a gantry frame on which a cone-beam radiation source and a digital area detector are mounted. The patient rests on an ergonomically designed table with a hole or two holes to allow one breast or two breasts to extend through the table such that the gantry frame surrounds that breast. The breast hole is surrounded by a bowl so that the entire breast can be exposed to the cone beam. Spectral and compensation filters are used to improve the characteristics of the beam. A materials library is used to provide x-ray linear attenuation coefficients for various breast tissues and lesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker and a method for using such a marker for radiographic examination. The marker and the disclosed method may be employed for the examination of tissue structures of various densities. The radiographic density and thickness of the marker are selected so that when the marker and an underlying tissue structure are exposed to xray radiation of a specified energy, the marker casts a legible shadow without obscuring anatomical detail present in the underlying tissue structure. The invention also provides a system of partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque markers for use in the method of radiographic examination taught by the invention.

Abstract: A compression plate for a mammography device has four sides and a base, and a bracket attached at one of the sides for moveably mounting the compression plate to an arm, to which an x-ray source also is mounted. To allow both large and small breasts to be imaged in various exposures, including horizontal exposures, with the breast centered on the subject table between the table and the plate, and to allow tissues outside of the compressed breast also to be imaged, the sides of the plate that terminate on the side attached to the bracket are fashioned such that at least a part of their widths is slanted inwardly in the direction of the base of the plate, preferably along the entire lengths of the sides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining multi-slice images having a total thickness of up to about 160 mm or more in a single gantry rotation in computed tomography or volume computed tomography are described. One embodiment comprises an extended, multi-spot x-ray source for computed tomography or volume computed tomography imaging, comprising: an electron gun capable of producing a plurality of electron beams, each electron beam focused at a predetermined distance and aimed in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of targets positioned to receive the electron beams and generate x-rays in response thereto, each target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon, wherein each electron beam is synchronized to strike, at an appropriate time, a predetermined target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon.

Abstract: The present invention concerns x-ray sources for mammography. A microfocused x-ray source of small size (30 ?m and smaller) with x-ray spectrum optimized for enhanced mammography is obtained with a method and system according to the invention. The proposed x-ray source is based on the use of plasmas created by the energy distribution of suprathermal electrons that are produced during the interaction of the laser beam with a solid target. These hot electrons penetrate the surface layer of cold plasma and interact with the solid core of the target. The method and system according to the present invention allows optimizing the x-ray source size, its spectral distribution, and the conversion efficiency in the 17.3-28.5 keV range (adapted to the breast thickness).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an image quality test and reporting method for x-rays that allows a field engineer to effectively maintain and troubleshoot vascular imaging systems produced by all manufactures. In general, the method and apparatus of the present invention provides for a test stand, a plurality of x-ray test phantoms (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70) and a computer program for data entry, analysis and storage of the test results.

Abstract: An x-ray laminography imaging system and a positioning system to be used therewith. The positioning system is configured to move the object in the X, Y and Z-directions (i.e., pitch and roll) to ensure that the object planes of the object that are being imaged are at least substantially parallel to the focal plane of the imaging system. The object is positioned so that object planes associated with the X, Y and Z-coordinates of points along the contour of the surface of the object are at least substantially parallel to the focal plane of the imaging system during imaging of the object plane. Because some objects, such as printed circuit boards, for example, are sometimes warped, by ensuring that the object plane being imaged is at least substantially parallel to the focal plane of the imaging system, precise laminographs are obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (10, 300) incorporating a lithographic tool (20) for printing a pattern from a mask (35) onto a substrate, for example a wafer (190), together with a substrate angle measuring tool (100, 310) employing X-ray diffraction techniques for determining substrate crystallographic orientation. The apparatus (10, 310) is calibrated so that the mask (35) is correctly angularly orientated with respect to the measuring tool (100, 310). When a new substrate (190) is loaded into the apparatus (10, 310) for having the pattern from the mask (35) printed thereonto, the apparatus (10, 300) angularly aligns the substrate (190) relative to the measuring tool (100, 310), thereby also aligning it angularly to the mask (35).

Abstract: The radiation applied to an object (input dose rate) during irradiation of the object by a radiation source (1) is limited during X-ray exposures. Pairs of values of a control curve which give rise to an input dose rate on the object to be examined which exceeds a predetermined maximum input dose rate are corrected by an arithmetic unit (76). This results in a corrected control curve whose entire length can be used for adjusting the desired tube parameters (tube voltage, tube current or load) without giving rise to the risk of exceeding the maximum input dose rate.

Abstract: An X-ray source has an evacuated housing containing an interior space and a housing projection having a projection interior communicating with the interior space. A cathode is mounted in the projection interior and an anode is mounted in the interior space. Two tubes proceed substantially parallel to each other through the projection and are sealed relative to the projection interior, the two tubes being disposed on opposite sides of an electron beam that proceeds from the cathode to the anode during operation of the X-ray source. An electromagnetic electron beam deflector has a U-shape with two legs that are respectively disposed in the tubes. The electron beam deflector is controllable to generate a magnetic field that deflects the electron beam to set a position of the focus on the anode.

Abstract: Devices for use with a mammography unit and for patient comfort comprise an x-ray transparent compressible material and a radiopaque identifier which imparts information onto a mammogram about physical and other characteristics of the material that affect image quality. The identifier is generally affixed to the material, and, for example, it can be sealed within the material. The material substantially conforms to patient contact surfaces of a cassette holder (bucky) or a compression paddle and, in one example, contains openings to accommodate passage of a cassette therethrough. The devices are for single use or reusable. X-ray transparent disposable covers used over the devices can also have a radiopaque identifier keyed to desired information about, for example, physical and other characteristics of the material that affect image quality. All information appears away from the breast image.

Abstract: In an arrangement for connecting a dental X-ray imaging sensor to a holder; the sensor (9) is a flat piece (11) having a planar radiation sensitive area, and at least one communication line (12) connected to said radiation sensitive area for data transfer; and the holder (8) is an elongated body having a first end provided with means for detachable connection of said sensor. The sensor has a peg (3) projecting from said flat piece. The peg is provided with a widened outer end and a neck between said outer end and said flat piece. Further, the neck has a configuration with a plurality of alternate larger diameters and smaller diameters. The holder has at its first end a fork (4) with a gap, which is adapted to fit onto said neck at least in two different positions. The interaction between the fork and the larger and smaller diameters of the neck prohibits unintended pivot of said sensor in respect to the holder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for mounting a plurality of detector modules to a rotatable gantry structure for an x-ray detection machine. The method comprises mounting the plurality of detector modules end-to-end to define a stair-step configuration in an x-ray detection zone of the rotatable gantry structure.

Abstract: A volume phantom for radiation therapy verification employs film held in a spiral configuration within a equalizing ring of attenuating material. The ring provides improved uniformity in radiation measurement and may be extended, for example, to a hemisphere to provide improved modeling and simulation of treatments in the region of the head.

Abstract: A radiography system and the machine readable medium storing program for accurately determining the type of the object taken by the radiography. The radiography system includes: a radiographic image receiving section for receiving the radiographic image of the object using the radiation; an optical image receiving section for detecting light from the object, and for receiving the optical image of the object; an object type determination section for determining an object type of the radiographic image received by the radiographic image receiving section based on the optical image received by the optical image receiving section; and an image storage section storing thereon the radiographic image received by the radiographic image receiving section in association with the object type determined by the object type determination section, and for storing the radiographic image and the object type, being associated with each other.