Abstract: A monolithic solid-state detector using a staggered arrangement of pixels in multiple rows improves spatial resolution without requiring reduction in pixel size. Parallelogram shapes of CZT monolith allow tiling in one dimension without inefficient zones between monoliths. A scanning device using linear array of detectors with non-rectangular shape and staggered rows of detection elements such that no dead zones occur within a scan field.

Abstract: A monolithic detector uses a grid to block x-rays from inter-pixel regions such as are believed to cause electrical noise in the pixel signals.

Abstract: An energy discriminator, for distinguishing between high and low x-ray energies in a energy sensitive x-ray machine divides high energies into asymmetric regions. The flux rates in each of the asymmetric regions being used to locate the high-energy region in the appropriate high-energy location even in regions of spectral monotonicity. Because two clearly defined spectral peaks need not be present for accurate location of spectral regions in the output of the detector, less filtering and lower tube loading is required.

Abstract: A scanning densitometer provides transverse scanning of the patient with a small angle fan beam to significantly reduce parallax and image overlap blurring. Additional reduction of artifacts in the region of combined scans is obtained by a varying overlap of the scans when they are merged determined by a best matching of an identified structure within the scan. The matching process which reveals an ideal overlap provides height data of the structure allowing correction of magnification for structures which change in height within the patient over the scan.