Antiscatter Grid Patents (Class 378/154)
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Patent number: 6947516Abstract: An X-ray apparatus including an X-ray source, a rotation mechanism which rotates the X-ray source about a rotational axis, and an X-ray detector having a plurality of detection elements. A blocking member defining a slit structure is provided between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The slits of the blocking member include two rows aligned in a channel direction of the detector elements, and two rows staggered in the channel direction, thereby to obtain a CT image with improved spatial resolution. Alternatively, instead of using a blocking member, some of the detection elements of at least one detection segment are staggered in the channel direction with respect to detection elements of another detection segment.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Miwa Okumura, Masahiko Yamazaki, Satoru Nakanishi, Toshihiro Rifu, Souji Miyashita
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Patent number: 6925153Abstract: Grid arrangement (1) for use with an X-ray apparatus (70) that is provided with an X-ray source and a recording element, it being possible, in operation, to place the grid arrangement (1) against the recording element and the grid arrangement being equipped to accommodate a flat grid (3) that comprises a multiplicity of elongated thin lamellae. The lamellae are placed essentially parallel to one another in a direction parallel to one surface of the grid (3), and the lamellae are oriented towards a focal axis a specific distance above the surface of the grid (3). The grid arrangement (1) further comprises drive means (8) which are equipped to move the grid (3) in a pendulum movement essentially about an axis of rotation and adjustment means (4, 10) for adjusting the axis of rotation of the pendulum movement to match the focal axis of the grid (3).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Hoorn Holland B.V.Inventor: Cornelis Hilhorst
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Patent number: 6912266Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic facility has an X-ray device for generating X-rays, a digital X-ray detector for acquiring the X-rays and for converting them into an electrical signal sequence that has picture elements arranged in a first structure, an image system for processing the electrical signal sequence and a playback device, and a stray radiation grid having a second structure composed of highly absorbent material and highly X-ray transparent material in alternation precedes the X-ray detector. One of the first and second structures is irregularly fashioned.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Martin Spahn
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Patent number: 6895080Abstract: The present invention provides an x-ray measuring apparatus for diagnosis having high spatial resolution and high sensitivity, which includes: an x-ray source for emitting x-rays from an x-ray focal spot; an x-ray detector in which a plurality of sensing elements each having a sensitive part and a blind part surrounding the sensitive part are arranged two-dimensionally; data processing means for collecting output signals of the sensing elements and performing data processing; and an anti-scatter grid disposed between the x-ray focal spot and the x-ray detector with predetermined distance from the position of the x-ray focal spot and in which an x-ray transmitting member and an x-ray shielding member are alternately arranged in a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventors: Rika Baba, Ken Ueda
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Patent number: 6885729Abstract: A method of fabricating an antiscatter grid, an antiscatter grid element and the antiscatter grid formed by the method comprising: forming grid elements by covering portions of at least one substrate with strips made of a radiation absorbent material wherein the portions of the substrate are dimensioned with a width greater than the width of the strips made of the absorbent material. The grid elements are superimposed. Pressing or grasping the superimposed grid elements at least on the parts of the element not covered with the absorbent material. The elements can be formed on a single substrate or on strips of substrate each one supporting a strip made of the absorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Rémy Klausz
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Patent number: 6868137Abstract: It is an object of one of the inventions to acquire a radiation image in which a stripe pattern originating from a scattered ray removing grid is less apt to interfere with observation. An image acquisition apparatus of one of the inventions includes a sensor for spatially sampling a radiation transmission distribution of an object to be imaged at a spatial sampling interval and acquiring an image of the object, and a scattered ray removing grid for removing scattered rays from the object, wherein an interval of elements of the scattered ray removing grid is set such that a spatial frequency of a stripe pattern, in the image, which originates from the scattered ray removing grid becomes not greater than 40% of a sampling frequency that is a reciprocal of the spatial sampling interval.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hitoshi Inoue
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Patent number: 6859515Abstract: There is provided an illumination system for light having wavelengths ?193 nm. The system includes (a) a first raster element for receiving a first diverging portion of the light and directing a first beam of the light, (b) a second raster element for receiving a second diverging portion of the light and directing a second beam of the light, where the first raster element is oriented at an angle with respect to the second raster element to cause a center ray of the first beam to intersect with a center ray of the second beam at an image plane, and (c) an optical element for imaging secondary sources of the light in an exit pupil, where the optical element is situated in a path of the light after the first and second raster elements and before the image plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung TradingInventors: Jörg Schultz, Johannes Wangler
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Patent number: 6850597Abstract: An X-ray image photographing apparatus includes an image obtaining portion for obtaining an X-ray distribution transmitted through an object, a grid detecting system having a construction for obtaining information from a grid side by the action of inserting the grid for decreasing scattered rays into the apparatus, and detecting at least one of the presence or absence of the grid, the kind of the grid and the presence or absence of the replacement of the grid by the use of the construction, an image processing system for image processing and outputting image data collected by the image obtaining portion, and a memory portion preserving therein a plurality of sets of image processing parameters for controlling the image processing system. The image processing system selects the image processing parameters preserved in the memory on the basis of at least the result of the detection by the grid detecting system and executes image processing.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Osamu Tsujii
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Patent number: 6847701Abstract: In an X-ray detector and method for applying a stray radiation grid onto an X-ray detector having detector elements arranged in a matrix that form a detector surface having detection regions sensitive to X-rays and less sensitive intermediate regions, a basic structure for the stray radiation grid is built up over the detector surface directly on the X-ray detector with a rapid prototyping technique and is subsequently coated or filled with a material that is highly absorbent for X-radiation. An absorbent structure thus arises that lies over the less sensitive intermediate regions of the detector surface. Moiré disturbances are avoided in the X-ray image exposure and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is increased.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Hoheisel, Hartmut Skleritz
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Patent number: 6839408Abstract: A grid, for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, includes at least metal layer, which is formed, for example, by electroplating. The metal layer includes top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of solid integrated walls. Each of the solid integrated walls extends from the top to bottom surface and having a plurality of side surfaces. The side surfaces of the solid integrated walls are arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer. At least some of the walls also can include projections extending into the respective openings formed by the walls. The projections can be of various shapes and sizes, and are arranged so that a total amount of wall material intersected by a line propagating in a direction along an edge of the grid is substantially the same as another total amount of wall material intersected by another line propagating in another direction substantially parallel to the edge of the grid at any distance from the edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Creatv Micro Tech, Inc.Inventor: Cha-Mei Tang
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Patent number: 6826256Abstract: It is an object of one of the inventions to acquire a radiation image in which a stripe pattern originating from a scattered ray removing grid is less apt to interfere with observation. An image acquisition apparatus of one of the inventions includes a sensor for spatially sampling a radiation transmission distribution of an object to be imaged at a spatial sampling interval and acquiring an image of the object, and a scattered ray removing grid for removing scattered rays from the object, wherein an interval of elements of the scattered ray removing grid is set such that a spatial frequency of a stripe pattern, in the image, which originates from the scattered ray removing grid becomes not greater than 40% of a sampling frequency that is a reciprocal of the spatial sampling interval.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hitoshi Inoue
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Publication number: 20040234036Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiology imaging having an anti-scatter layer with a plurality of metallized partitions that enable X-rays emitted from a source located above the grid to pass and absorbing X-rays not derived directly from this source. The grid has at least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed on one surface of anti-scatter layer. The grid may be positioned with a frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Remy Klausz
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Publication number: 20040228447Abstract: A method for manufacturing an anti-scatter grid including arranging a plurality of elongated metal ribbons of radio-opaque material so that each ribbon is substantially straight and lies in a plane that passes through a focal point of the grid, and placing the elongated ribbons under tension. A first sheet of radioluscent material is secured to top edges of the ribbons, and a second sheet of radioluscent material is secured to bottom edges of the ribbons. The ribbons are arranged such that the first and second radioluscent sheets are substantially parallel. Then the tension is removed from the ribbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: John M. Dobbs, Stephen M. Tobin
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Publication number: 20040223590Abstract: A method is for the compensation of image disturbances in the course of a radiation image recording caused by a defocusing of an antiscatter grid, arranged in the beam path between a beam source and a digital radiation image receiver and focused with respect to a specific distance from the focus of the beam source. Such image disturbances are caused by a defocusing-dictated attenuation of the primary radiation incident on the radiation image receiver. A solid-state image detector includes radiation-sensitive pixels arranged in matrix form and a device for pixelwise amplification of the radiation-dependent signals. In the method, at least some of the signals supplied in pixelwise fashion are amplified by an amplifying device in a manner dependent on the actual distance of the antiscatter grid from the focus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Bernhard Geiger, Sigrid Joite-Barfuss, Claudius Molz, Gudrun Roth-Ganter
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Patent number: 6807252Abstract: A method for manufacturing an anti-scatter grid having a desired height. The method includes positioning a bottom surface of a mask of dielectric material, with a depth at least equal to the desired height of the anti-scatter grid, on a sheet of metal, cutting first and second series of intrinsically focused slots through a top surface of the mask to the sheet of metal, plating the sheet of metal at the bottom of each of the slots of the mask with a radiopaque material to form partition walls of the anti-scatter grid, and continuing to plate the radiopaque material into the slots of the mask until the desired height of the anti-scatter grid is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventor: John M. Dobbs
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Patent number: 6801600Abstract: A scattered ray removal grid that has an overall shape of constant spherical curvature. The scattered ray removal grid has radiation absorbing portions arrayed in a lattice configuration and radiation non-absorbing portions made of thermoplastic resin disposed between the radiation absorbing portions and can therefore be easily produced to have an overall spherical shape at low cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuhiro Kohda
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Patent number: 6782077Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory image at a desired imaging timing by implementing grid movement control according to the time response characteristics of the radiation generation function and a decrease in time delay from an imaging request to actual irradiation. In order to achieve this object, a control device controls the actual irradiation instruction timing for an irradiation device on the basis of a pre-irradiation delay time as a time between an instruction and irradiation of actual irradiation of the irradiation device.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Hirai
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Patent number: 6778632Abstract: In an arrangement having an X-ray detector or a gamma detector with detector elements arranged in a matrix in row and column directions that form a detector surface with detection regions that are sensitive to X-rays or gamma radiation and insensitive intermediate regions, and a stray radiation grid or collimator of absorbent structure elements that is arranged over the detector surface, the absorbent structure elements proceed over the intermediate regions and are fashioned such that their detector-side center-to-center spacing in the row direction and/or column direction is greater by a whole-numbered factor than the center-to-center spacing of the detector elements in the same direction, and/or sections of the absorbent structure elements that proceed in one direction exhibit a lower height than sections that proceed in the respectively other direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Hoheisel, Hartmut Sklebitz
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Patent number: 6778637Abstract: A radiation detector (30) for a computed tomography scanner (12) includes a support structure (62). An alignment board (60) secures to the support structure (62) and includes photolithographically defined alignment openings (70) arranged to define a spatial focal point (34) relative to the alignment board (60). An anti-scatter element (32) is disposed on the support element (62) and includes one or more protrusions (86) which mate with the alignment openings (70) of the alignment board (60) to align the anti-scatter element (32) with the spatial focal point (34). A detector board (104) includes alignment structures (106) that align the detector board (104) with the anti-scatter element (32).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, William C. Brunnett, Rodney A. Mattson
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Publication number: 20040156479Abstract: An antiscatter device, such as a grid or collimator, is for absorption of secondary radiation which is scattered by an object. The antiscatter device includes an absorption structure with a plurality of elements. Two or more elements form a cell-like structure with a beam channel for primary radiation. Further, the elements and thus the cell-like structures are arranged and/or formed such that the absorption structure has a non-regular, aperiodic pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Martin Hoheisel, Hartmut Sklebitz
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Patent number: 6771738Abstract: Method and apparatus for a radiographic image of an object obtained by a radiography apparatus containing an X-ray emitter, in which an anti-scatter grid placed between the object and a radiographic image receiver is displaced, on rectilinear translation in its plane, when acquiring the images, between a starting position and an arrival position, according to a time displacement law of reference, at a greater rate of displacement in proximity to a starting position and to the arrival position. A measurement of the energy received in the form of X-radiation by the receiver is used to modify the rate of displacement of the grid at every instant.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventors: Luc Miotti, Serge Muller, Andreas Rick
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Publication number: 20040131158Abstract: A method is for producing and applying an antiscatter grid or collimator to an x-ray or gamma detector having matricially arranged detector elements which form a detector surface with detection regions sensitive to x-radiation and/or gamma radiation and less sensitive intermediate regions. In the method, a basic structure is firstly produced for the antiscatter grid or collimator by way of a rapid prototyping technique, through which transmission channels and intermediate walls of the antiscatter grid or collimator are formed which have at least in a first direction a center-to-center spacing which is equal to or an integral multiple of a center-to-center spacing of the sensitive detection regions of the detector. The intermediate walls are coated with a material which strongly absorbs x-radiation and/or gamma radiation in order to finish the antiscatter grid or collimator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Martin Hoheisel, Martin Schaefer, Hartmut Sklebitz
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Patent number: 6744852Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-scatter grid for an X-ray device which serves to reduce scattered radiation generated in an object to be examined and includes a plurality of absorber laminations for the absorption of the scattered radiation and a channel medium which is transparent to X-rays and arranged between the absorber laminations. In order to enable notably simple and precise manufacture of such an anti-scatter grid while the primary radiation is attenuated as little as possible and scattered radiation is attenuated as much as possible, in accordance with the invention a non-elastic high-resistance foam, notably a polymethacrylimide high-resistance foam, is used as the channel medium. The invention also relates to a collimator, for example, for a single-photon emitter or a positron emitter, in which a non-elastic high-resistance foam is also used as the channel medium between the laminations.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.Inventors: Erhard Paul Artur Klotz, Reiner Koppe
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Publication number: 20040101107Abstract: A radiation image taking apparatus includes a case that contains a radiation detecting unit that has a detection surface in which a photoelectric conversion element that detects a radiation transmitted through an object is located, a grid unit which is detachably attachable to an outside of the case and removes a scattered radiation, and a photo timer unit which is detachably attachable to the outside of the case and measures a dose of the radiation. One of a first mode in which the grid unit is attached to the case, a second mode in which the photo timer unit is attached to the case, and a third mode in which the grid unit is attached to the second mode can be freely used in configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: Tetsuo Watanabe
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Publication number: 20040101106Abstract: It is an object of one of the inventions to acquire a radiation image in which a stripe pattern originating from a scattered ray removing grid is less apt to interfere with observation. An image acquisition apparatus of one of the inventions includes a sensor for spatially sampling a radiation transmission distribution of an object to be imaged at a spatial sampling interval and acquiring an image of the object, and a scattered ray removing grid for removing scattered rays from the object, wherein an interval of elements of the scattered ray removing grid is set such that a spatial frequency of a stripe pattern, in the image, which originates from the scattered ray removing grid becomes not greater than 40% of a sampling frequency that is a reciprocal of the spatial sampling interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: Hitoshi Inoue
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Patent number: 6707885Abstract: A method is provided for producing a grid structure using an extrusion process. In order to extrude a layered structure exhibiting a high aspect ratio, a multiplication die is used. Such a method is also suited to manufacture X-ray scatter grids, which include X-ray absorbing and X-ray transmitting regions. The X-ray scatter grid is designed to be used in an X-ray examination apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Reinhold Wimberger-Friedl, Jakob Wijnand Mulder, Johan Gerrit De Bruin
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Patent number: 6707884Abstract: A plurality of slots, which incline in directions that focus toward a source of radiation, are formed in plates constructed of a radiation-absorbing substance. Similarly, a plurality of slots, which incline in directions that focus toward the radiation source, are formed in support members constructed of a radiation-absorbing substance. If the support members and the plates are combined by the engagement between the slots, a scatter-ray removing grid in the form of a lattice is constructed such that each support member and each plate incline toward the radiation source.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Ogawa
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Patent number: 6690767Abstract: A shielding grid constructed of a radiation absorbing material for use with an array of discreet, non contiguous radiation sensors to protect such sensors from scattered radiation. The sensors each have a radiation sensitive area with a width and a length. In designing the grid a prototile having a prototile width and a prototile length is developed. The prototile width is equal to the radiation sensitive area width divided by an integer and the prototile length is also equal to the radiation sensitive area length divided by an integer. The prototile contains a pinwheel motif of radiation absorbing material contained solely within the prototile that forms a pattern when a plurality of prototiles sufficient to cover the array of discreet sensor are arrayed contiguously. The grid is constructed with the radiation absorbing material in this pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Direct Radiography Corp.Inventor: James E. Davis
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Patent number: 6678352Abstract: An anti-scatter X-ray raster provides suppression of secondary scattered Compton radiation thus improving image contrast. The anti-scatter X-ray raster comprises a plurality of tubular channels made of an X-ray absorbing material. The tubular channels are spliced together to form a cellular structure. The largest cross size (d) of a singe channel its length (H) meet a relationship 2d/H>&thgr;c, where &thgr;c is a critical angle of total external reflection of X-rays from the material forming the walls of the tubular channels. The cross-section of the tubular channels need not be circular but may be, for example triangular or hexagonal. In a non-focused raster embodiment all of the longitudinal axis of the channels are parallel. In focused embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the channels are radially angled such that if extended they would meet at the X-ray source point.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Inventor: Muradin Abubekirovich Kumakhov
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Patent number: 6671348Abstract: In an X-ray image detector including an X-ray grid unit for transmitting primary X-rays and removing scattered X-rays, a fluorescent substance for emitting fluorescence through excitation by X-rays, and photoelectric conversion elements for photoelectrically converting the fluorescence, these X-ray grid unit, fluorescent substance and photoelectric conversion elements are constituted together as a single unit. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged two-dimensionally between each adjacent two of which there is a predetermined insensitive region. The X-ray grid is composed of a plurality of X-ray absorption members for removing the scattered X-rays, and the X-ray absorption members are disposed substantially only on the predetermined insensitive regions when viewed from a direction from which X-rays are incident.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiji Ohkoda
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Publication number: 20030235273Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic facility has an X-ray device for generating X-rays, a digital X-ray detector for acquiring the X-rays and for converting them into an electrical signal sequence that has picture elements arranged in a first structure, an image system for processing the electrical signal sequence and a playback device, and a stray radiation grid having a second structure composed of highly absorbent material and highly X-ray transparent material in alternation precedes the X-ray detector. One of the first and second structures is irregularly fashioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventor: Martin Spahn
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Publication number: 20030215060Abstract: This invention provides an X-ray analysis apparatus and method capable of simply and accurately determining the position of analysis in a sample from an optical image of it without lowering the sensitivity and/or the spatial resolution in light element analysis. The X-ray analysis apparatus of the present invention irradiates a sample with X-rays narrowed down by means of an X-ray guide member from above the sample in which said sample is directly irradiated with X-rays from said X-ray guide member and an optical image of said sample is obtained in the direction coaxial with said X-ray guide member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: Sumito Ohzawa
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Publication number: 20030190013Abstract: A scattered ray removal grid that has an overall shape of constant spherical curvature. The scattered ray removal grid has radiation absorbing portions arrayed in a lattice configuration and radiation non-absorbing portions made of thermoplastic resin disposed between the radiation absorbing portions and can therefore be easily produced to have an overall spherical shape at low cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventor: Katsuhiro Kohda
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Patent number: 6625253Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray imaging system that comprises a high ratio, high primary transmission anti-scatter grid in combination with a dynamic X-ray tube output function to eliminate or reduce gridline artifacts. Conventional X-ray imaging systems utilizing conventional anti-scatter grids generally require that the grid be moved a distance of at least 20 grid pitches to eliminate gridline artifacts. Through the use of the anti-scatter grid and dynamic output function described, such artifacts are eliminated or substantially reduced when the grid travels a short distance. Any function that has zero frequency components at positive integer multiples of the reciprocal of the grid repeat time will completely suppress gridline artifacts. Any function that is equal to the convolution of an arbitrary function with a rect function whose width is a positive multiple of the grid repeat time will fit this criterion, and its use will completely suppress gridline artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: The UAB Research FoundationInventors: Gary T. Barnes, David M. Gauntt
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Patent number: 6594878Abstract: A scattered ray removal grid that has an overall shape of constant spherical curvature. The scattered ray removal grid has radiation absorbing portions arrayed in a lattice configuration and radiation non-absorbing portions made of thermoplastic resin disposed between the radiation absorbing portions and can therefore be easily produced to have an overall spherical shape at low cost.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuhiro Kohda
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Patent number: 6594342Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Donald Earl Castleberry
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Publication number: 20030123615Abstract: A method of fabricating an antiscatter grid, an antiscatter grid element and the antiscatter grid formed by the method comprising: forming grid elements by covering portions of at least one substrate with strips made of a radiation absorbent material wherein the portions of the substrate are dimensioned with a width greater than the width of the strips made of the absorbent material. The grid elements are superimposed. Pressing or grasping the superimposed grid elements at least on the parts of the element not covered with the absorbent material. The elements can be formed on a single substrate or on strips of substrate each one supporting a strip made of the absorbent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Remy Klausz
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Publication number: 20030089857Abstract: In an X-ray detector and method for applying a stray radiation grid onto an X-ray detector having detector elements arranged in a matrix that form a detector surface having detection regions sensitive to X-rays and less sensitive intermediate regions, a basic structure for the stray radiation grid is built up over the detector surface directly on the X-ray detector with a rapid prototyping technique and is subsequently coated or filled with a material that is highly absorbent for X-radiation. An absorbent structure thus arises that lies over the less sensitive intermediate regions of the detector surface. Moiré disturbances are avoided in the X-ray image exposure and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Hoheisel, Hartmut Skleritz
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Publication number: 20030081731Abstract: An antiscattering grid for an X-ray imaging apparatus of the type comprising a substrate having a plurality of metallized partitions that together define a plurality of cells distributed over the substrate. The partitions allow passage of the X-rays emitted from a source lying in line with the grid, and absorbing the X-rays not coming directly from this source. The substrate is made of a polymer material that may be formed by radiation curing of a monomer sensitive to this radiation. The substrate may be substantially planar and the partitions may be oriented to form a focused grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Henri Souchay, Remy Klausz, Guillaume Bacher, Bruno Gilles Richou
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Publication number: 20030076929Abstract: In an arrangement having an X-ray detector or a gamma detector with detector elements arranged in a matrix in row and column directions that form a detector surface with detection regions that are sensitive to X-rays or gamma radiation and insensitive intermediate regions, and a stray radiation grid or collimator of absorbent structure elements that is arranged over the detector surface, the absorbent structure elements proceed over the intermediate regions and are fashioned such that their detector-side center-to-center spacing in the row direction and/or column direction is greater by a whole-numbered factor than the center-to-center spacing of the detector elements in the same direction, and/or sections of the absorbent structure elements that proceed in one direction exhibit a lower height than sections that proceed in the respectively other direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Hoheisel, Hartmut Sklebitz
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Publication number: 20030072415Abstract: A method for producing a scattered radiation grid or collimator which, for an incident radiation type, has transmissive regions and nontransmissive regions of predeterminable geometry. First the geometry of the transmissive and the nontransmissive regions of the scattered radiation grid or collimator is set. On the basis of this geometry, a base body is constructed according to the geometry, optionally differing by a particular layer thickness, of the transmissive regions or the nontransmissive regions by a rapid prototyping technique through layer-wise solidification of a structural material under the action of radiation. On the basis of this base body, the scattered radiation grid or collimator is finally completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Rico Eidam, Martin Hoheisel, Martin Schafer, Hartmut Sklebitz, Peter Strattner
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Publication number: 20030063708Abstract: A housing for accommodating a radiation detecting member, has a first plate member to which radiation is incident from an outside of the housing; a second plate member arranged opposite to the first plate member; a radiation detecting member provided between the first plate member and the second plate member and having a radiation receiving surface to detect the radiation having passed through the first plate member; and a scattering radiation shielding member arranged at a radiation receiving surface side of the radiation detecting member and to eliminate scattering radiation from the radiation before the radiation is detected by the radiation receiving surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Haruhiko Masutomi, Tomoko Saito, Masafumi Saito, Kouji Amitani, Masayuki Nakazawa, Yoshiyuki Ishimitsu
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Patent number: 6535577Abstract: Method and apparatus and computer programs and computer medium for improving quality of a radiographic image of an object obtained by an X-ray apparatus containing an antidiffusion grid, placed between the object and a receiver of radiographic images, The grid is displaced in rectilinear translation in its plane on pickup of the image, between two positions according to a time displacement law which is a continuous curve with a time precision of approximately ±10% presenting at least five separate parts, the displacement taking place at constant speed over at least two parts and at variable speed over at least one part.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventors: Luc Mioitti, Serge Muller, Andreas Rick
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Patent number: 6529582Abstract: An X-ray scatter reduction grid includes a first layer having a plurality of cells. The cells have a perimeter formed of an X-ray absorbing material. The shape of the perimeters can vary, but a polygonal shape is preferred. The grid can also include other layers, each with their own cells. The cells of the subsequent other layers are larger than and offset from the cells of the prior layer. The increased size of the cells allows a primary ray passing through the center of a first layer cell to also pass through the center of a subsequent layer cell. This allows for a maximum of primary ray passthrough and a maximum of scatter absorption.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Howard S. Feldmesser, Paul R. Falk, Thomas J. Beck, Harry K. Charles, Jr.
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Patent number: 6529581Abstract: When X-rays are projected to an X-ray sensor through a grid, a pitch of slits on the grid has a relationship such that a length obtained by multiplying an odd number to a half pitch of a projection image on the X-ray sensor is equal to a pitch of detection pixels of the X-ray sensor. X-rays passing through a sample to be measured via the grid are detected by the X-ray sensor. Levels of the detected X-ray detection signals are inputted into an operation process portion and subjected to an equalizing process for every pixel groups, each having even number of the detection pixels, continuously lined up in a pitch direction of the grid. As a result, irregularities of the levels of the X-ray detection signals can be corrected, and moires generated on an output screen of an image display portion can be removed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Naoyuki Hori
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Publication number: 20030026386Abstract: Grids and collimators, for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, include at least a metal layer that is formed, for example, by electroplating/electroforming or casting. The metal layer includes top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of solid integrated walls. Each of the solid integrated walls extends from the top to bottom surface and has a plurality of side surfaces. The side surfaces of the solid integrated walls are arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer. At least some of the walls also can include projections extending into the respective openings formed by the walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Cha-Mei Tang, Olga V. Makarova
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Publication number: 20030021380Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray system/generator in which after the end of an X-ray exposure the grid of th X-ray tube is blocke4d as long as the X-ray exposure is read out from a detector (or as long a film or a PCR is removed from the X-rays). After read out, the grid is released so that the system capacitance may be discharged via the X-ray tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventor: Joachim Brendler
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Publication number: 20030021379Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-scatter grid for an X-ray device which serves to reduce scattered radiation generated in an object to be examined and includes a plurality of absorber laminations for the absorption of the scattered radiation and a channel medium which is transparent to X-rays and arranged between the absorber laminations. In order to enable notably simple and precise manufacture of such an anti-scatter grid while the primary radiation is attenuated as little as possible and scattered radiation is attenuated as much as possible, in accordance with the invention a non-elastic high-resistance foam, notably a polymethacrylimide high-resistance foam, is used as the channel medium. The invention also relates to a collimator, for example, for a single-photon emitter or a positron emitter, in which a non-elastic high-resistance foam is also used as the channel medium between the laminations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Erhard Paul Artur Klotz, Reiner Koppe
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Patent number: 6510202Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of providing a high-quality image optimum for medical diagnosis or the like by an arrangement for preventing any degradation in image quality due to the influence of electromagnetic noise and vibration caused by grid movement. In order to achieve this object, as operation control in receiving radiation transmitted through an object by an image sensing element through a movable grid and reading the accumulated signal from the image sensing element, a control device stops moving drive of the grid after the end of radiation irradiation for the object, and after the stop of moving drive, starts reading the accumulated signal from the image sensing element.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshikazu Tamura, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Akira Hirai
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Patent number: 6501829Abstract: An X-ray image photographing apparatus includes an image obtaining portion for obtaining an X-ray distribution transmitted through an object, a grid detecting system having a construction for obtaining information from a grid side by the action of inserting the grid for decreasing scattered rays into the apparatus, and detecting at least one of the presence or absence of the grid, the kind of the grid and the presence or absence of the replacement of the grid by the use of the construction, an image processing system for image processing and outputting image data collected by the image obtaining portion, and a memory portion preserving therein a plurality of sets of image processing parameters for controlling the image processing system. The image processing system selects the image processing parameters preserved in the memory on the basis of at least the result of the detection by the grid detecting system and executes image processing.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Osamu Tsujii