Abstract: The present invention provides a digital x-ray radiographic imaging system. The system is based on a photoconductive detector and an electro-optic light modulator, where the photoconductive detector layer absorbs x-rays that have passed through an object to form an exposure of the object. The absorbed x-rays create a static optical image, which is stored in the electro-optic light modulator, allowing the capture of the optical image to continue over longer time. The optical image is digitized using a scanning system and an external light source. The image is then processed and stored by a computer. After the optical image is recorded, an erasing mechanism is used to reset the system before a new exposure is made.

Abstract: A 4-dimensional digital tomosynthesis system includes an x-ray source, an x-ray detector and a processor. The x-ray source is suitable for emitting x-ray beams to an object with a periodic motion. The periodic motion is divided into (n+1) time intervals, n being a positive integer. Each of the (n+1) time intervals is associated with a time instance ti, i=0, 1, 2, . . . , n. The x-ray detector is coupled to the x-ray source for acquiring projection radiographs of the object at each time instance ti for each scan angle based on the x-ray beams. The processor is communicatively coupled to the x-ray source and the x-ray detector for controlling the x-ray source and processing data received from the x-ray detector such that all projection radiographs acquired from all scan angles for each time instance ti are reconstructed and (n+1) sets of cross sections of the object are obtained. The cross section is either a coronal cross section or a sagittal cross section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector disclosed herein has a QE that can be an order of magnitude higher than that of current flat panel systems and yet has a spatial resolution equivalent to that of current flat panel systems used for portal imaging. The x-ray detector includes a large number of micro-structured electrically conducting plates, packed together with thin spacers placed between neighboring plates with the micro-structured plates oriented to be parallel to the incident x-rays in operation. Each plate includes an electrically conductive substrate with a first planar surface, elongate electrically conductive strip electrodes separated from each other with strip spacers placed in between and sitting on an insulating layer interposed between the first planar surface of the electrically conductive substrate and the strip electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector disclosed herein has a QE that can be an order of magnitude higher than that of current flat panel systems and yet has a spatial resolution equivalent to that of current flat panel systems used for portal imaging. The x-ray detector includes a large number of micro-structured electrically conducting plates, packed together with thin spacers placed between neighboring plates with the micro-structured plates oriented to be parallel to the incident x-rays in operation. Each plate includes an electrically conductive substrate with a first planar surface, elongate electrically conductive strip electrodes separated from each other with strip spacers placed in between and sitting on an insulating layer interposed between the first planar surface of the electrically conductive substrate and the strip electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector disclosed herein has a QE that can be an order of magnitude higher than that of current flat panel systems and yet has a spatial resolution equivalent to that of current flat panel systems used for portal imaging. The x-ray detector includes a large number of micro-structured electrically conducting plates, packed together with thin spacers placed between neighboring plates with the micro-structured plates oriented to be parallel to the incident x-rays in operation. Each plate includes an electrically conductive substrate with a first planar surface, elongate electrically conductive strip electrodes separated from each other with strip spacers placed in between and sitting on an insulating layer interposed between the first planar surface of the electrically conductive substrate and the strip electrodes.

Abstract: An edge trimmed piece that is cut from a long metal slab with a cutting torch carried along the slab edge is automatically crosscut into short manageable length pieces with a secondary crosscutting torch. Both torches are mounted on the same carriage and the crosscutting torch is periodically activated to move along an acute angular path with respect to the edge trim cut, resulting in an effective crosscut transverse to the main trim cut. The crosscutting operation may be carried out without interruption of the edge trim torch, thereby enhancing productivity and trim cut quality.