Multiaperture Patents (Class 378/149)
  • Patent number: 5016267
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an x-ray neutron instrument includes an x-ray or neutron lens (10) disposed in a path for x-rays or neutrons in the instrument. The lens (10) comprises multiple elongate open-ended channels (12) arranged across the path to receive and pass segments of an x-ray or neutron beam (14). The channels (12) have side walls reflective to x-rays or neutrons of the beam incident at a grazing angle less than the critical grazing angle for total external reflection of the x-rays or neutrons, whereby to cause substantial focusing or collimation and/or concentration of the thus reflected x-rays or neutrons. In a different embodiment, a condensing-collimating channel-cut monochromator comprises a channel (22) in a perfect-crystal or near perfect-crystal body (20). This channel (22) is formed with lateral surfaces (24, 26) which multiply reflect, by Bragg diffraction from selected Bragg planes, an incident beam (28) which has been collimated at least to some extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventor: Stephen W. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 5008911
    Abstract: A device for measuring the pulse transfer of X-ray quanta which are elastically scattered in an examination zone, includes an X-ray source which is arranged on one side of the examination zone, a detector which is situated on the other side of the examination zone and which measures the energy of the X-ray quanta, and a rotationally-symmetrical diaphragm device which is arranged between the detector and the X-ray source. In a device of this kind a comparatively accurate determination of the pulse transfer is also possible for thick objects, because the diaphragm device is constructed so that the X-ray quanta emitted by the X-ray beam source are transmitted to the examination zone only on the envelope of a cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
  • Patent number: 5001737
    Abstract: Apparatus for directing and focusing X-rays by the new method of confinement is disclosed. A capillary having an inlet end and an outlet end with a generally tubular or rectangular inner wall surface defines a longitudinal central opening. The central opening is tapered inwardly from the inlet end to the outlet end. X-rays are directed into the inlet end at angles less than the critical glancing angle for the inner wall surface to direct X-rays through the capillary to a focus point near the capillary outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventors: Aaron Lewis, Edward A. Stern, Yizhak Yacoby
  • Patent number: 5001347
    Abstract: A collimator is designed for use in rotational camera transaxial SPECT in which the camera head is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation. The principal ray of the collimator is offset so that the transaxial plane bisects the angle bounded by the radially outermost collimated rays (cone-beam case) or by the radially outermost fan strips (astigmatic and anamorphic cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 4996701
    Abstract: In a method for slit radiography a fan-shaped X-ray beam scans a body to form an X-ray shadow image. The fan-shaped beam is formed by a number of sectors situated next to each other. For each sector the transmitted X-ray radiation is controlled instantaneously during a scan by means of controllable beam sector modulators. The X-ray radiation is cyclically modulated in a predetermined manner for all the sectors taken together. The controllable beam sector modulators are individually controlled to select cyclically and in synchronism with the predetermined cyclic modulation a part of the X-ray radiation for each sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: B. V. Optische Industrie "De Oude Delft"
    Inventor: Ronald J. Geluk
  • Patent number: 4969176
    Abstract: In apparatus for radiographic diagnostics an X-ray beam attenuated by an object to be examined is converted into a light image by means of an X-ray image intensifier tube. Inter alia as a result of the geometry of the X-ray beam and of the input screen of the X-ray image intensifier tube the intensity of the image decreases towards the edge (vignetting). By arranging a stray radiation grid, for example, in the form of a perforated plate of X-ray-absorbing material, for example, lead or tungsten, in the path of radiation between the X-ray source and the X-ray image intensifier tube, vignetting can be reduced by an adapted variation of the local transmission of the stray radiation grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes L. M. Marinus
  • Patent number: 4958081
    Abstract: A focusing collimator has a plurality of corrugated strips which are built up in a stack. Within each stacking plane of interest, each strip is shaped in cross-section as a part of a different radial sector of a common predetermined annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Malmin, William R. Guth
  • Patent number: 4916723
    Abstract: In a method for slit radiography a fan-shaped X-ray beam scans a body to form an X-ray shadow image. The fan-shaped beam is formed by a number of sectors situated next to each other. For each sector the transmitted X-ray radiation is controlled instantaneously during a scan by means of controllable beam sector modulators. The X-ray radiation is cyclically modulated in a predetermined manner for all the sectors taken together. The controllable beam sector modulators are individually controlled to select cyclically and in synchronism with the predetermined cyclic modulation a part of the X-ray radiation for each sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: B.V. Optische Industrie "De Oude Delft"
    Inventor: Ronald J. Geluk
  • Patent number: 4910759
    Abstract: A lens and collimator apparatus for focusing and increasing the intensity of an x-ray beam at a specimen point. A screen with an aperture of pupil diameter comparable and no larger than the x-ray transverse coherence length and no smaller that the specimen diameter focuses the x-ray beam by diffraction. The screen is positioned from the specimen plane proportional to the ratio of the square of the pupil diameter to the mean wavelength of the x-ray beam. A plurality of parallel screens can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: Mark Sharnoff
  • Patent number: 4890312
    Abstract: A piezo-electric attenuation tongue system for slit radiography equipment comprises a number of tongues placed next to each other. The tongue system is manufactured by slitting a plate of piezoelectric material from one of the edges but leaving unslit a strip of the plate along the opposite edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: B. V. Optische Industrie "De Oude Delft"
    Inventor: Simon Duinker
  • Patent number: 4866744
    Abstract: A scattering beam eliminating member is located between an X-ray tube and an X-ray gas detector such that it is intimately bonded to the window of the X-ray detector. The scattering beam eliminating member is of such a type that plates and X-ray transmission areas are alternately arranged in a slice direction to permit any scattering beam to be absorbed in the slice direction and never to be incident to the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tadatoki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4856043
    Abstract: A Soller slit and method of producing a Soller slit by forming a plurality of grooves in two identical ceramic blocks. The two blocks are then bound together with parallel blades of each block facing each other. The ceramic blocks can contain lead titanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Zola
  • Patent number: 4827491
    Abstract: Apparatus for treatment by radiation of an intracranial portion disposed at a predetermined region, comprises a linear accelerator for supplying a source of energetic electrons, and a collimator disposed adjacent the predetermined region for supplying an X-ray source of radiation to the predetermined region. The collimator includes a plurality of channels oriented toward the predetermined region. Each channel has a target which produces the X-ray radiation when the respective target is selectively exposed to the energetic electrons. The collimator also has a cover layer of radiation attentuation material having a low atomic or Z number and that extends over the outer surface of the collimator but leaves unexposed the plurality of channels. Preferably, the cover layer has a thickness at least equal to the range of the energetic electrons.A method of treating an intracranial portion with the apparatus of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: Robert J. Barish
  • Patent number: 4809312
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of tomographic images includes a flying spot scanner to form, from a beam of penetrating radiation, a pencil beam sweeping over a line in space to define a sweep plane. An object to be examined is supported so that the pencil beam intersects the object along a path passing through the object and a selected slice of the object. A line collimator is provided for filtering radiation scattered by the object, the line collimator has a field of view which intersects the sweep plane in a bounded line so that the line collimator passes only that radiation scattered by elementary volumes of the object lying along the bounded line. A radiation detector responds to that portion of the scattered radiation which is passed by the line collimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Annis
  • Patent number: 4788699
    Abstract: A dental X-ray diagnostic installation for producing panoramic tomograms of the jaw of a patient is provided with a multiple diaphragm part having a plurality of different diaphragm apertures which can be adjusted to be positioned into a beam path from the X-ray source to enable producing different exposures. Preferably, the multiple diaphragm part is mounted for rotation on an axis so that the diaphragm apertures can be respectively aligned to the beam path of the radiation source. The multiple diaphragm part can be either a one-piece diaphragm member having a cylindrical configuration, a multiple piece member having a disk configuration, or can be a box-shaped carrier carrying a plurality of diaphragm inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Dobert, Werner Gunther, Erich Heubeck
  • Patent number: 4778997
    Abstract: Process for depicting the distribution of high activities of radioactive substances by means of a whole-body scintigraphic device having a camera or the like, such as a gamma camera or scanner, characterized in that the radiation incident upon the camera is partially shielded against as a function of its intensity in order to optimize the counting rate, as well as a device for implementing such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Volker Doring
  • Patent number: 4750196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for examining a body by means of gamma rays or X-rays, in which a body to be examined is irradiated by a plurality of primary beams having a comparatively small cross-section. The scattered radiation produced is intercepted by detector devices, at least one of which is associated each time with a respective primary beam, and the detector device and an associated slit which images the primary beam on the detector device is arranged so that the detector device is struck essentially only by scattered radiation from this one primary beam. Preferably, the detectors are arranged between the body to be examined and the radiation source, so that they can intercept only the back-scattered radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
  • Patent number: 4718076
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an X-ray generator having a cylindrical rotating target, a slit plate having a slit extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which an X-ray focal point moves on the target, the slit plate and rotating target being moved relatively in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the slit extends, an X-ray detector arranged opposite to the slit plate with an object interposed between them and serving to convert X-ray beams passing through the slit and the object to electrical signals, a signal processor for picking up only those signals which relate to the object from these electrical signals obtained through the X-ray detector, and a display device for displaying an X-ray image which corresponds to the signals picked up by the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kunio Doi, Hideki Matsui, Katsuhiro Ono
  • Patent number: 4672648
    Abstract: An off-focal radiation collimator is disclosed which includes a plurality of radiation absorbing elements supported in spaced relationship with respect to one another in a housing such that each element is aligned along radii extending from the focal spot of a radiation source. The off-focal collimator is preferably disposed between the radiation source and a primary beam collimator. The off-focal collimator also acts as a radiation beam compensator. By varying the spatial density of the radiation absorbing elements by a function of location within the housing, the radiation beam can be shaped to any desired profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Picker International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Gordon D. DeMeester
  • Patent number: 4659935
    Abstract: A bilateral collimator for rotational camera transaxial SPECT imaging of small body organs produces two different simultaneous views of a body organ to be imaged. The views are produced by groups of passageways which do not intersect each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric G. Hawman
  • Patent number: 4651012
    Abstract: A projection system derived from certain solid geometrical properties using two aperture plates bearing arrays of holes with well defined spacing projects radiation from diverse sources such as electromagnetic radiation, visible and invisible light radiation, discrete particles, X-rays, gamma rays, charged and uncharged particles, as a multi-dot radiation image pattern onto a distant target, overcoming the enormous intensity losses inherent in prior art for pin hole projection of test patterns. The source angular emission function may be of nearly any type, from omni-directional (perfectly diffuse) to uni-directional. Such dot patterns are suitable for evaluating imaging systems as well as the critical operating parameters of mapping spectrometer sensors. The lensless projection system is capable of superimposing radiation source rays from every hole in the first aperture plate onto each image dot at the focal plane with dramatic increase in intensity of the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: Benton C. Clark, Todd E. Crumbaker
  • Patent number: 4638499
    Abstract: High resolution in an X-ray computerized tomography (CT) inspection system is achieved by using a collimator/detector combination to limit the beam width of the X-ray beam incident on a detector element to the desired resolution width. In a detector such as a high pressure Xenon detector array, a narrow tapered collimator is provided above a wide detector element. The collimator slits have any desired width, as small as a few mils at the top, the slit width is easily controlled, and they are fabricated on standard machines. The slit length determines the slice thickness of the CT image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Eberhard, Dallas E. Cain
  • Patent number: 4597096
    Abstract: A multitube collimator for a camera, especially a scintillation camera, whose sensitivity and resolving power may be varied by changing the length, slope, dimension or shape of the tubes (10). This is achieved by that the grid at least at two opposed limiting sides is surrounded by guiding means (11) which are arranged to, by parallel movement and/or by moving towards or apart from each other, influence the collimator tubes (10) collectively referred to the positions of the tubes relative to the guiding means (11) and/or the dimension of the tubes in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Agne Larsson
  • Patent number: 4595014
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for imaging radiation pattern from within a body. In accordance with the preferred method of the invention, there is provided a technique for imaging internal structure of a body which includes the following steps: a radiation-emitting substance is introduced into the body. A miniaturized probe is inserted into the body, the probe being coupled to a cable and including at least one radiation detector surrounded by a coded aperture. Signals are received from the detector via the cable for a series of positions of the probe and for different orientations of the coded aperture with respect to the body. The signals from the detector are processed to obtain an image of the radiation pattern within the body. The imaging hereof allows both the position and the strength of a source (e.g. a tumor) to be determined in the presence of background radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: University Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison H. Barrett, Herbert B. Barber, Walter J. Wild
  • Patent number: 4578585
    Abstract: A first pinhole and an associated first pin and also a second pinhole and an associated second pin are mounted between a detector head and a detector head supporting structure such that the first pinhole and the first pin are concentric with a first axis and the second pinhole and the second pin are concentric with a second axis. The pins can be shifted relatively to each other along each axis in opposite directions, so that when one pin intrudes in its pinhole the other pin is located outside its pinhole. The axis of the intruding pin defines the trunnion axis of the detector head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly I. Gosis, Frank J. Bartos
  • Patent number: 4577107
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for mounting a detector head including a collimator onto supporting structure of a radiation detector for rotation about a selected one of a plurality of trunnion axes, the selection being made so that rotation occurs about the trunnion axis which passes nearest to the center of gravity of the head. A first rotatable member is mounted to the supporting structure for rotation about a first trunnion axis and a second rotatable member is mounted to the first rotatable member for rotation about a second trunnion axis. A key mounted on the first rotatable member shifts between protrusion into a first key slot located on the supporting structure and a second key slot located on the second rotatable member. The shifting mechanism is locked when the detector head is in a position other than a collimator changing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Meeder
  • Patent number: 4560876
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for mounting a detector head including a collimator onto supporting structure of a radiation detector for rotation about a selected one of a plurality of trunnion axes, the selection being made so that rotation occurs about the trunnion axis which passes nearest to the center of gravity of the head. A first rotatable member is mounted to the supporting structure for rotation about a first trunnion axis and a second rotatable member is mounted to the first rotatable member for rotation about a second trunnion axis. A key mounted on the first rotatable member shifts between protrusion into a first key slot located on supporting structure and a second key slot located on the second rotatable member. The shifting mechanism is locked when the detector head is in a position other than a collimator changing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Meeder
  • Patent number: 4532646
    Abstract: An X-ray beam finder for locating a focal spot of an X-ray tube includes a mass of X-ray opaque material having first and second axially-aligned, parallel-opposed faces connected by a plurality of substantially identical parallel holes perpendicular to the faces and a film holder for holding X-ray sensitive film tightly against one face while the other face is placed in contact with the window of an X-ray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Hubert W. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 4506374
    Abstract: A hybrid collimator for tomographic imaging with a scintillation camera comprising a coded aperture plate and a parallel plate collimator. The code plate includes a plurality of lateral slits each of which is radiopaque or radiotransparent pursuant to a time modulated code. The parallel plates define a plurality of radiotransparent channels whose lengthwise orientation is orthogonal to the lateral slits of the code plate. In a preferred embodiment, the code plate is advanced across the channels of the collimator in a direction parallel to their lengthwise orientation rendering a time coded pattern that is identical for each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 4466113
    Abstract: In an X-ray examination device which comprises an X-ray source for irradiating a body and a detector device, a displaceable diaphragm device defines an angle of aperture which is substantially smaller, due to the selection of the dimension of the apertures, than the measuring angle defined by the associated radiation detector and the X-ray source. By displacement of the aperture with respect to the object to be measured during the measurement over a distance which covers the measuring angle, a high-resolution shadow image can be formed. The entire object is then contiguously irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Helmut Strecker
  • Patent number: 4450706
    Abstract: The apparatus forms a profilated collimator strip out of a band of deformable material. It contains a first and a second forming tool, both of which contain a row of forming teeth. The teeth may be hexagonal to form corresponding deformations having sidewalls greater in width than the top or bottom walls. In operation, the teeth are disposed oppositely and staggered with respect to each other. The apparatus also contains a device for performing a relative movement between the two tools, whereby the tools approach each other. The apparatus also includes a device for moving one of the tools parallel to the other one in an indexing step by step motion. In the method for forming a profilated collimator strip, a band is placed on one tool, whereby a portion of the band is located in the space between the two tools which are positioned oppositely to each other. Then the tools are approached to each other, the teeth thereby pressing the band into the predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gustav O. Engelmohr
  • Patent number: 4438335
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for mounting a detector head including a collimator onto supporting structure of a radiation detector for rotation about a selected one of a plurality of trunnion axes, the selection being made so that rotation occurs about the trunnion axis which passes nearest to the center of gravity of the head. A first rotatable member is mounted to the supporting structure for rotation about a first trunnion axis and a second rotatable member is mounted to the first rotatable member for rotation about a second trunnion axis. A key mounted on the first rotatable member shifts between protrusion into a first key slot located on the supporting structure and a second key slot located on the second rotatable member. The shifting mechanism is locked when the detector head is in a position other than a collimator changing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Meeder
  • Patent number: 4435828
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for obtaining fluorescence laser EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure). A lens (12) directs a pulse of radiant energy (13) onto a metal target (15) to produce X-rays (16). A baffle (17) directs the X-rays (16) onto a spectral-dispersive monochromator (18) which directs the spectrally-resolved X-rays (16R) therefrom onto a sample (11). Fluorescence X-rays (27) from the sample (11) strike a phosphor (26) on a grid (19). Emitted light (21) from the phosphor (26) corresponds spatially to the spectral resolution of the X-rays (16R). Emitted light intensity at a point along the spatial distribution corresponds to the absorption characteristics of the sample (11) at a particular wavelength of the incoming X-rays (16R). An imaging lens (20) directs the emitted light (21) onto photographic film or an array detector (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation
    Inventors: Harold M. Epstein, Robert E. Schwerzel, Paul G. Andrus
  • Patent number: 4433427
    Abstract: An image-reconstructive technique for examining a body by means of penetrating radiation, such as X-rays, is described in which a pre-body collimator having a two-dimensional array of radiation-transmitting holes each bordered by radiation non-transmitting walls is disposed between the body and the source of radiation, and a plurality of exposures are made onto a radiation-sensitive surface, in which the radiation is projected through the collimator while the radiation source is at a plurality of different locations, such that during the successive exposures, the radiation from the source passes through different ray paths defined by the holes in the pre-body collimator. The radiation level received by each of the radiation-sensitive surface elements is detected, stored, and processed to reconstruct the two-dimensional radiation pattern but with enhanced resolution. Preferably a post-body collimator is also used to suppress scattering. Described are a four-exposure procedure and a nine-exposure procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Elscint, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel I. Barnea
  • Patent number: 4419763
    Abstract: A collimator is disclosed which has a stack of radiation opaque plates that is tilted to vary the angle of view of the scintillation crystal of a radiation detector with respect to a radiation source. The plates have hexagonal apertures that are aligned with corresponding apertures on adjacent plates to provide radiation transmitting channels. As the stack is tilted, the plates slide laterally over one another to change the slant of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric G. Hawman
  • Patent number: 4419585
    Abstract: A variable angle radiation collimator particularly for use in gamma-photon medical diagnostic systems in a gamma-photon camera system for radiological examination of human subjects. The collimator provides collimation of gamma-photon radiation along a single beam direction which may be varied along two axes to adjust exposure angle or to provide a scanning capability. The collimator is a stack of substantially identical radiation-opaque plates, each of which are apertured with a similar array of openings. The combined effect of the stacked aperture plates is to transmit radiation in a predetermined orientation. The collimated angle of the radiation thus generated is controlled by the coincidence of the array of openings. The stack is retained by a mechanism which permits adjustment of the collimation angle, and the plates are fabricated to provide ease of shear motion during such adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: H. William Strauss, Richard H. Moore, Nathaniel M. Alpert
  • Patent number: 4404471
    Abstract: Lenticular x-ray film having a parallax grating mask near the lenticulations of the film and a high resolution intensifying screen near the emulsion side of the film. The film, the mask and the screen form a unit for placement in a cassette for use with an x-ray tomograph to produce x-ray photographs which can be viewed in three-dimension. The mask has a substrate transparent to x-rays and is provided with spaced recesses for receiving mercury, tungsten or other flowable material which is opaque to x-rays. The spaces between the recesses present gaps for the passage of x-ray beams and the gaps are shaped so that the spread of the x-ray beams striking the emulsion of the film is the same width as each lenticulation. Each groove has a certain height so that the material in the grooves is sufficiently opaque to the x-ray beams in the range of about 30 KVA to about 150 KVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Inventors: Douglas F. Winnek, William J. McKee
  • Patent number: 4389729
    Abstract: A digital radiography system includes an X-ray source for projecting a beam of X-rays toward and through an object to be examined onto the input face of an image intensifier tube. A multi-hole collimator is disposed between the object and the image intensifier tube for producing a two-dimensional array of spaced pencil beams, and these pencil beams are raster scanned relative to the object being examined and across the input face of the image intensifier tube through small distances corresponding generally to the distance between the holes in the collimator. The succession of images which are produced on the output face of the image intensifier tube during the scanning of the pencil beams are scanned by a video camera whose output signals are digitized and stored as partial images, and the partial images are thereafter interleaved with one another to provide a composite comparatively high resolution image of the object being examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Stein