Abstract: Dental X-ray apparatus for panoramic tomography in which an X-ray source and X-ray detection means are carried by a moving mechanism for panoramic imaging movements including translation and rotation of the X-ray source and of the detection means with respect to an object to be examined. The panoramic movements are controlled by data momentally supplied from a microcomputer for two individual translation movements in a plane and for rotation movement about an axis perpendicular to that plane.

Abstract: A computer tomograph apparatus of the type having a rotating frame which carriers an x-ray source and a radiation detector includes a mount for the radiation detector which resiliently seats the radiation detector on the rotating frame permitting slight displacement of the radiation detector in a direction tangent to the orbit of the detector around a patient. The resilient mounting of the radiation detector suppresses the transmission of mechanical jolts and other jarring forces from the rotating frame to the detector. Because of the resilient mounting, the weight of the radiation detector will cause a slight dislocation of the detector during a revolution. To compensate for this dislocation the rated position of the focus is determined dependent upon the detector position, so that the position of the focus can be adjusted corresponding to this detector displacement.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention provides an x-ray tomography apparatus having a patient table, x-ray tomography components located around the patient table and in an imaginary plane which intersects the table, and structure for supporting the table and tomography components and including apparatus for moving the tomography components along at least a portion of the table. In an alternate embodiment, an x-ray tomography apparatus includes an annular x-ray tomography system for continuously rotating around a patient, which structure has an electrically powered x-ray source and battery power for supplying electrical power to the x-ray source.

Abstract: A tomographic apparatus includes a movable radiation generating system and a movable radiation sensing system which may be placed independently of the location of the radiation generating system. The locus of movement of a radiation generating point is adjusted to be parallel to the arrangement of the radiation sensing system. The distance between the generating and sensing systems is obtained by a prescribed calculation. The CT scanning starts after initializing the radiation generating/sensing systems. Then, projecting data of the inspection object is obtained. Thereafter, image reconstruction processing is performed onto the obtained projection data in accordance with a sequential approximation method, so that a tomographic image of the object is produced.

Abstract: A computer tomography apparatus has an x-ray source which is fed with a high voltage supply. Operation of the x-ray source over an extended period of time causes the focal spot on the anode to change position, thereby degrading the image which is constructed from the series of exposures, because construction of the image is based in part upon the focus being at a known position. A focus position computer is therefore provided which receives signals from the high voltage supply corresponding to the operating parameters of the x-ray source. Based on a known relationship between these parameters, the length of operating time, and the expected position of the focus, the focus position computer calculates the expected change in position of the focus, and supplies a signal corresponding to this change to the image construction computer, which takes the change in focus position into account in constructing the image for display.

Abstract: Computerized axial tomography is employed with respect to large relatively dense objects such as a solid fuel rocket engine. High energy X-rays, such as a 15 MeV source is used. To develop clean images, a collimator is employed with a relatively minute acceptance angle. Acceptance angles on the order to 1.degree., and in a preferred embodiment 7 minutes of a degree, are used. In a preferred embodiment, the collimator may be located between the object and the detector, although in other embodiments, a pre-collimator may also be used, that is between the X-ray source and the object being illuminated.

Abstract: A CT scanner has an X-ray source for producing a fan beam that is rotatable relative to the axis of the scanner in a plane perpendicular to the axis, and a plurality of X-ray detectors mounted in a non-rotatable helical detector ring whose axis is colinear with the scannner axis for reeiving X-rays from the fan beam, the detectors extending 360.degree. around the axis. The detector ring has an inner surface facing the axis of the helix, and the detectors are mounted on the inner surface so that their photosensitive areas face the axis of the helix. At any given axial position of the detector ring, a given group of detectors will have an unobstructed view of certain of the X-ray sources through the space between adjacent leaves of the helix.

Abstract: Disclosed are x-ray machines using fan-beams of x-rays to examine sectional slices of patients and to form detailed x-ray pictures of such slices, and methods of so examining patient slices. A source of a fan-beam of x-radiation, and a system detecting the radiation after it passes through a slice of the patient, rotate around the patient.

Abstract: A computer-assisted tomographic image is overlayed with the visual indication of any regions representing a deviation from a norm. The overlaid region may indicate a deviation of the radiodensity in that region. The overlaid region may also indicate a deviation from an electrophysiological norm based on compressed spectral analysis of an electroencephalographic signal or evoked potentials represented by such a signal.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention minimizes artifacts caused by noncoplanarity between source and detector component in a computerized tomography system. The source component produces a beam of penetrating radiation which is rotatable about an axis and is incident on the detector component; and non-coplanarity is defined by the collection of the positions of the source component which defines a first plane, and by the collection of positions of the detector component which defines a second plane axially spaced from the first plane. Data obtained during a scan of a body located between the source and detector components are processed to form two images, one image being based on data related to one side of a focal plane interposed between the first and second planes, and another image being based on data related to the other side of the focal plane.

Abstract: A radiant energy imaging system for selectively enhancing the image of objects having circular cross section to distinguish them from the image of objects having rectangular cross section, such objects being contained in a material having a different density-absorption coefficient product than the objects. In the invention, the gradient image of the spatially resolved transmitted intensity of the radiation is calculated and eroded to preferentially remove the edges of images of objects having rectangular cross section. The invention finds particular use in detecting agricultural contraband contained in baggage or parcels.

Abstract: A computer-assisted tomographic image is overlayed with the visual indication of any regions representing a deviation from a norm. The overlaid region may indicate a deviation of the radiodensity in that region. The overlaid region may also indicate a deviation from an electrophysiological norm based on compressed spectral analysis of an electroencephalographic signal or evoked potentials represented by such a signal.

Abstract: In a method of collecting X-ray absorption data in an X-ray tomographic apparatus, an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector arranged to face each other via a body are caused to undergo reciprocation along a plane section of the body for collecting X-ray absorption data of the plane section in a given angular aspect. Two different kinds of X-ray absorption data dependent upon respective different energy levels are collected on the basis of different tube voltage during the respective forward and return movements in one reciprocation. After one reciprocation, the X-ray tube and X-ray detector are rotated by a predetermined angle relative to the body. The reciprocation and rotation are alternately repeated to collect X-ray absorption data of the plane section of the body in various angular aspects. The accuracy of the CT value can be increased using the two different kinds of X-ray absorption data during the forward and backward movements and also the difference between these two X-ray absorption data.

Abstract: Apparatus for examining a body, particularly useful in tomography, for producing transverse sectional images of the body, comprises scanning means supported by a carriage coupled to its mounting via a pair of links defining, with the carriage and its mounting, a four-link, parallel-motion mechanism which, upon oscillation of the links, effects a curvilinear movement of the carriage with respect to the body, and thereby a curvilinear traverse of the body by the scanning means. The carriage is also rotatably mounted on the machine frame enabling the carriage, and the scanning means supported thereon, also to be rotated about the body either incrementally or continuously.

Abstract: A cable guide for X-ray scanners includes a guide roller which rolls between concentric parallel sectors of drums, one end of the cable being fastened to one drum and passing around the roller.