Abstract: An apparatus for use in a cephalostat has a collimator for defining the shape of an X-ray beam and a soft tissue filter screen, mounted independently of the collimator, for attenuating a portion of the X-ray beam. The soft tissue filter screen has an anterior facial portion and a submental-neck portion having a leading edge at a position posterior relative to the leading edge of the anterior facial portion. The soft tissue filter screen is independently adjustable relative to the collimator. A cephalometric radiology apparatus includes a support structure, an X-ray source, and an X-ray detector, in addition to the collimator and the soft tissue filter screen. A method for imaging soft tissue and hard tissue involves positioning the soft tissue filter independently of positioning the collimator. A modular system, which can be mounted onto a cephalostat, includes the soft tissue filter screen and a mounting component.

Abstract: A method for detecting nuclear species in a sample by adaptive scanning using nuclear resonance fluorescence may comprise illuminating the target sample with photons from a source; detecting a signal in an energy channel; determining a scan evaluation parameter using the signal detected; determining whether the scan evaluation parameter meets a detection efficiency criterion; adjusting one or more system parameters such that the scan evaluation parameter meets the detection efficiency criterion; and comparing the signal in an energy channel to a predetermined species detection criterion to identify a species detection event. In another embodiment, detecting a signal in an energy channel may further comprise detecting photons scattered from the target sample. In another embodiment, detecting a signal in an energy channel may further comprise detecting photons transmitted through the target sample and scattered from at least one reference scatterer.

Abstract: A filter plate having defects that may cause image artefacts is moved during an exposure. The movement distributes the defects of the plate in the image to a point where they can no longer be seen in the image. Preferably, the shifting of the plate is done in the plane of the plate, in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the rollers used for in the manufacture of the plate.

Abstract: Particles emitted by a radiation source, and moving from the radiation source towards a processing system for processing the radiation from the radiation source, are filtered out of radiation propagating through a predetermined cross section of the radiation as emitted by the radiation source by a filter system. The filter system includes a plurality of foils and a transporter for transporting the foils along a trajectory which extends within the beam so that the foils intercept the particles within the beam. The transporter is arranged to transport the foils by a substantially translatory movement of the foils along at least a part of the trajectory.

Abstract: A filtering system for use in, for example, a radiological imaging in a mammography apparatus. The system has a roundabout carrying a set of filtration plates. Each filtration plate is held on the roundabout by a joint. In a parked or stationary position, each plate is vertically suspended and does not contribute to any unacceptable increase in the horizontal space requirement of an X-ray tube. Each filtration plate may be presented in turn before a window for the emission of X-rays from the tube. At this position, the plate is rectified about its joint in order to occupy one position, among several possible positions, that also makes it possible, in this way, to modulate the filtration capacity of the plate.

Abstract: An X-ray distribution adjusting filter apparatus for supplying a desired X-ray intensity distribution or adjusting the X-ray distribution to a desired profile, the bowtie filter as the X-ray distribution adjusting filter apparatus has a fixed section having a base portion and inclined portions, first and second movable sections configured to be tiltable pivoting on a center point, and first and second deformable sections whose cavities defined by the fixed section, the movable sections and an expansible bellows is to be filled with fluid, wherein the inclined faces of the fixed section and the flat faces of the movable sections are caused to approach or move away from each other by the tilting of the movable sections pivoting on the center point to vary the quantity of the fluid in the cavities of the movable sections, and to vary the sectional shape of the X-ray absorbing portion of the bowtie filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering an x-ray beam emitted by an x-ray source comprises a filter, adjustable from a parked position (P) outside of a path of the x-ray beam into a filtering position (F) in the x-ray beam path. A corresponding first sensor device detects when the filter in the filtering position (F), and a corresponding second sensor device detects when the filter in the parked position (P). Further, sensor signals are communicated by the first and second corresponding sensors to an evaluation device. The evaluation device generates a report if the filter is not in at least one of the parked position (P) and the filtering position (F).

Abstract: A system and method of diagnostic imaging is provided that includes determining a position of a subject in a scanning bay and tailoring x-ray attenuation such that the specific position of the subject is taken into consideration. The present invention automatically selects a proper attenuation filter configuration, corrects patient centering, and corrects noise prediction errors, thereby increasing dose efficiency and tube output.

Abstract: A dual-energy scanning-based radiation detecting apparatus comprises a line detector; a device for scanning said line detector across an object while said line detector is exposed to an ionizing radiation beam, which has impinged on said object, to thereby record a plurality of line images of said object; a filter device arranged in the path of said ionizing radiation beam upstream of said object to filtrate said ionizing radiation beam, the filter device being capable of operating in two operation modes having different filter characteristics; and a control device for altering operation mode of the filter device subsequent to at least every second of said line images being recorded.

Abstract: A method of at least partially compensating for an x-ray tube target angle heel effect wherein the method includes providing an x-ray source, providing an x-ray detector having a plurality of detector rows positioned to receive x-rays from the source, and using a filter to increase uniformity of at least one of a projection noise and a spatial resolution, wherein the projection noise and the spatial resolution are non-uniform and are a function of a target angle along a z-axis.

Abstract: A method for examination of a subject comprises the steps of: administering (32) a contrast-enhancing agent into a subject (7, 42) to be examined, the contrast-enhancing agent introducing density variations in the subject; directing (33) ionizing radiation (3) towards the subject; and detecting (34) ionizing radiation spatially resolved as transmitted through the subject, while Compton scattered radiation (3a, 3c) in the subject is essentially prevented from being detected. The ionizing radiation directed towards the subject is provided within a spectral range so that more photons of the ionizing radiation are Compton scattered than absorbed through the photoelectric effect in the subject to thereby detect the density variations introduced by the contrast-enhancing agent in the subject spatially resolved.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: A method for providing a radiation filter for a radiation treatment machine includes receiving via e-mail design data for the radiation filter, and comparing the received design data to a radiation filter blank database for selecting a radiation filter blank compatible with the radiation treatment machine from a plurality of radiation filter blanks. The method further includes defining tooling instructions for the selected radiation filter blank, and programming a tooling machine based upon the defined tooling instructions. The programmed tooling machine is operated for machining the selected radiation filter blank into the radiation filter.

Abstract: An X-ray device and method of improving the quality of an image formed by an X-ray device are provided. The X-ray device comprises a source emitting a beam of X-rays toward an object to be examined. A detector for receiving the X-rays that pass through the object is connected to an image processor. An X-ray collimator comprising a translatable element and at least one aperture for narrowing the beam of X-rays is arranged between the X-ray source and the examined object. A method of improving the quality of an image formed by the X-ray device comprises the steps of narrowing the X-ray beam using the aperture of the collimator, moving the aperture through the X-ray beam to expose the object to be examined to the narrowed X-ray beam, and forming an image of the examined object based upon the highest intensity value received for each pixel of the detector.

Abstract: A method of at least partially compensating for an x-ray tube target angle heel effect includes positioning a filter having an anode side and a cathode side between an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, wherein the cathode side has a higher attenuation coefficient than the anode side, to at least partially compensate for the target angle heel effect.

Abstract: Backscatter imaging using Hadamard transform masking includes an area x-ray source with alternating, masked, Hadamard transform patterns. The total backscatter signal from a target for each pair of corresponding masks is recorded. The difference in signal strengths for each pair of corresponding masks is a direct measurement of the Hadamard transform coefficient for that mask. An image of the target is formed by performing an inverse discrete Hadamard transform on the complete matrix of coefficients.

Abstract: An X-ray exposure apparatus extracts exposure X-rays from light called synchrotron radiation from a synchrotron radiation source by an optical path including an X-ray mirror and performs exposure using the extracted X-rays. The X-ray mirror contains a material having an absorption edge in at least one of a wavelength range of less than 0.45 nm and a wavelength range exceeding 0.7 nm, thereby implementing exposure using the X-ray in the range of 0.45 nm to 0.7 nm. The X-ray mirror contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, chromium, and their alloys, nitrides, carbides, and borides.

Abstract: A method and a suite of filters for detecting carotid artery calcification in a panoramic dental radiograph, including imposing a filter between an x-ray radiation beam source and an imaging medium, wherein the imposing attenuates the effect of the incident x-ray in the region of the carotid artery; obtaining a panoramic dental radiograph while imposing the filter, wherein the imposing enhances the contrast of the radiograph in the region of carotid artery; and detecting a calcification region in the area of the radiograph wherein the x-ray image's contrast has been enhanced by using the filter, and which area corresponds with the location of the carotid artery. The suite of filters include a patient format, a cassette format, an x-ray unit format and a software-based format.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus has a radiation source, an interchangeable radiation filter and an area dose measuring device having a measurement chamber with an allocated evaluation device for determining the area dose product on the basis of a measured signal provided by the measurement chamber. The measurement chamber is arranged preceding the filter in the beam path with reference to the radiation propagation direction. A detector recognizes the nature and/or the type of radiation filter that is currently inserted in the beam path. The evaluation device corrects the area dose product that is calculated from the measured signal from the measurement chamber on the basis of at least one filter-specific correction value that is selected as a result of the detection of the filter nature and/or type.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for CT data acquisition using a rotatable pre-subject filter having more than one filtering profile to control radiation exposure to a subject. The filter is caused to rotate by a motor and bearing assembly and has one profile used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned above a subject and another profile that is used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned at a side of the subject.

Abstract: A filtering system for use in, for example, a radiological imaging in a mammography apparatus. The system has a roundabout carrying a set of filtration plates. Each filtration plate is held on the roundabout by a joint. In a parked or stationary position, each plate is vertically suspended and does not contribute to any unacceptable increase in the horizontal space requirement of an X-ray tube. Each filtration plate may be presented in turn before a window for the emission of X-rays from the tube. At this position, the plate is rectified about its joint in order to occupy one position, among several possible positions, that also makes it possible, in this way, to modulate the filtration capacity of the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for x-raying a semiconductor device which includes semiconductor material and conductive material, the apparatus including a source of x-rays, a filter for receiving x-rays from the source of x-rays and allowing transmission of x-rays to the device, the filter having an atomic number greater than the atomic number of the conductive material of the device, and an x-ray imager for receiving x-rays from the device.

Abstract: A device for filtering a ray bundle of electromagnetic radiation, particularly an X-ray bundle has different filter stages, produced by multiple filters that can be adjusted into the ray bundle, a drive for moving the filters, and separate arms for moving each of the filters. The respective first ends of the arms engage at the appertaining filter and the respective other ends thereof are chargeable with a force generated by the drive. Dependent on the motion of the drive, each of the filters can either be set into the beam path by charging the appertaining arm with an actuating force or can be retrieved from the ray bundle by charging the arm with a restoring force. A dog driven by the drive is able to be brought into contact with two detents respectively present at each of the arms. An IN detent is provided for charging the arm with the actuating force and an OUT detent is provided for charging the arm with the restoring force.

Abstract: A switching mechanism is configured such that a lower limb radiographic filter 11a is moved inside a radiation field of the X-rays that is an opening portion of an X-ray movable restriction only when radiographing a region of a subject from the groin to the toe, or the filter is moved outside the radiation field when radiographing the lumber region of the subject. With this switching mechanism thus constituted, it is possible to lighten a burden of the operator, and realize the X-ray radiographic apparatus having high universality.

Abstract: A system for creating an image of the internal features of an object includes an X-ray source and detector array positioned to interpose the object between the X-ray source and the detector array. An X-ray beam is passed through the object along a first path. While passing through the object, the beam is successively filtered twice, each time with a different filter. The successive filtration of the beam results in the production of two electrical signals by the detector which are processed to create an image signal for the path. The process is repeated for a plurality of paths through the object and the resulting image signals are combined using traditional computer tomography techniques to produce a composite image of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CT imaging system utilizing a pre-subject cone-angle dependent filter to optimize dosage applied to the scan subject for data acquisition. The cone angle dependent pre-subject filter is designed to have a shape that is thicker for outer detector rows and thinner for inner detector rows. As a result, x-rays corresponding to the outer detector rows undergo greater filtering than the x-rays corresponding to the inner detector rows.

Abstract: In order to obtain an X-ray tomographic image with high quality while minimizing the exposed dose to a subject by employing the most suitable filter according to the region of the subject to be scanned, a filter unit 6 having filters 6a-6c having different transmission properties are provided below an X-ray tube 4 in a gantry apparatus. To obtain an X-ray tomographic image, upon determining the scan region of the subject, a motor 7 is driven to position one of the filters corresponding to the scan region just below the X-ray tube 4 for employing the filter, and X-rays are applied to the subject through the filter.

Abstract: A system for creating an image of the internal features of an object includes an X-ray source and detector array positioned to interpose the object between the X-ray source and the detector array. An X-ray beam is passed through the object along a first path. While passing through the object, the beam is successively filtered four times, each time with a different filter. The successive filtration of the beam results in the production of four electrical signals by the detector which are processed to create an image signal for the path. The process is repeated for a plurality of paths through the object and the resulting image signals are combined using traditional computer tomography techniques to produce an image of the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray examination apparatus, comprising an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, a filter arranged between said source and said detector, said filter comprising an array of filter elements having X-ray absorbtivities that can be adjusted by means of control voltages, a control circuit for supplying said control voltages to said filter elements, and an object support arranged between said filter and said detector, said station being adapted to support an object to be exposed to X-ray radiation emanating from said source, the transmitted X-ray radiation being detected by said detector, said control circuit being adapted to supply said control voltages in single-sequence fashion to groups of adjacent filter elements.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus for determining image data about the distribution of physical and chemical constituents in examination subjects of a human or animal nature or in materials or security inspection, a tube-side modification of a conventional CT apparatus to allow a two-spectra method to be employed but without an increase in the radiation stress on the subject. A two-part filter is introduced between the X-ray source and the subject to produce X-rays of at least two different intensities for transirradiating the subject.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus has a radiation source, an interchangeable radiation filter and an area dose measuring device having a measurement chamber with an allocated evaluation device for determining the area dose product on the basis of a measured signal provided by the measurement chamber. The measurement chamber is arranged preceding the filter in the beam path with reference to the radiation propagation direction. A detector recognizes the nature and/or the type of radiation filter that is currently inserted in the beam path. The evaluation device corrects the area dose product that is calculated from the measured signal from the measurement chamber on the basis of at least one filter-specific correction value that is selected as a result of the detection of the filter nature and/or type.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging features of an object constructed from a material that includes a first element in the presence of features constructed from a material that includes a second element. The apparatus utilizes a filtered x-ray spectrum to image the object. The filtered x-ray spectrum is generated from a polychromatic x-ray source having energies below a maximum energy. The maximum energy is greater than a dominant absorption edge of the first element. The filter includes a filter element having a dominant absorption edge greater than or equal to a dominant absorption edge of the second element. The filter removes x-rays that would otherwise be absorbed by the second element, thereby improving the relative contrast of images based on x-ray absorption of the first element.

Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray examination device, including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector, for forming an X-ray image of an object, an X-ray filter, arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, and adjusting circuit, connected to the X-ray filter for adjusting it. The adjusting circuit comprises a graphics device, cursor control for defining a region of interest in an image of the object, displayed on the graphics device, and image-processing unit, connected to the X-ray filter, for calculating the region of interest and adjusting the filter accordingly. The X-ray filter includes filter elements having an X-ray absorptivity which can be adjusted by controlling a quantity of X-ray absorbing liquid within the individual filter elements. The filter elements are capillary tubes, and adjusting circuit applies electric voltages to the individual capillary tube for controlling the quantity of X-ray absorbing liquid in the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray examination apparatus which includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, absorption means arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, a control unit for adjusting the absorption degree of the absorption means, an image processing unit and a display unit. In order to perform an automatic adjustment of the absorption means, the absorption degree therein is optimized in dependence on user-specific parameters (r) and/or apparatus-specific parameters (s) and/or structure parameters (C) and/or parameters (r) classifying the subject matter of the image.

Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly (16) includes a vacuum envelope (52) and an x-ray permeable exit window (58). An anode (50) is positioned within the vacuum envelope (52) such that a near side is adjacent to the exit window (58) and a far side is opposite thereof. A cathode assembly (66) is also mounted within the vacuum envelope (52) which directs an electron beam (72) toward a focal spot or point (62) on the far side of the anode (50). The anode further includes a central cavity or indentation (70) which provides a location for mounting a set of radiation attenuating vanes (64) in addition to a shaped x-ray filter or compensator (68). Close placement of the vanes (64) and the filter (68) relative to the focal spot of the anode desirably reduce off focal radiation and allow beam shaping. An externally located collimator (18) further shapes the output x-ray beam.

Abstract: An X-ray computer tomography apparatus is disclosed wherein a beam filter arrangement (26) that comprises regions (28, 30) of different filter material or/and different thickness profile of the filter material is arranged in the beam path preceding an examination subject. For multi-spectra beam hardening correction with estimation of the base material lengths, the computer tomography apparatus is fashioned for implementing projections of the examination subject given different effective material thickness or/and different effective material of the beam filter arrangement (26).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing x-rays to electronic devices such as portable electronic devices for x-ray fluorescence analysis are described. The apparatus includes a portable XRF device containing an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that are proximate one another, e.g., within the same housing. The x-ray source is shielded so that x-rays that could potentially interfere with the operation of the x-ray detector are reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a beam of electromagnetic radiation, particularly an x-ray beam with different filer stages or levels has two rotation elements that are rotationally attached to a base part, each having at least one filter, the respective filters being different from one another. The two rotation elements are arranged at the base part 50 that a serial arrangement of a filter of the first rotation element and a filter of the second rotation element can be introduced into the beam, so that different filter stages can be set by different rotary motions of the first rotation element via an overriding clutch. Only a single drive is used to generate a rotary motion of the first rotation element. The apparatus enables a large number of filter stages to be selected with a compact structure.

Abstract: An electronic video camera apparatus is provided for focusing light rays from object plane proximate image intensifier of a medical x-ray imaging system onto an image plane proximate a light sensor. The electronic video camera includes a lens system located between the object and image planes to focus light rays from the object plane onto the image plane. The light rays at the object plane are representative of a patient image. An optical filter is located between the object and image planes and partially blocks light rays passing there through. The optical filter includes at least first and second filter regions having different opacity. The first and second filter regions are alignable with the lens system at different times to block differing first and second amounts of light rays, respectively, associated with differing first and second x-ray amounts transmitted at different times.

Abstract: Fluid element device including fluid elements arranged in a matrix configuration having rows and columns with the level of fluid in each fluid element being controllable by electric force. The fluid elements include capillary tubes having electrode segments electrically insulated from one another such that each segments is receivable of a different voltage. A first voltage delivery circuit applies voltage to selected fluid elements in one or more rows of fluid elements and a second voltage delivery circuit applies voltage to selected fluid elements in one or more columns of fluid elements. The fluid level rises in the selected fluid elements to which voltage is applied by both the first and second voltage delivery circuits. The capillary tubes are structured and arranged such that the level of fluid in the selected elements can be retained independent of the application of voltage by the first and second voltage delivery circuits.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus is equipped with an X-ray filter having adjustable absorption properties in order to reduce the dynamic range of an X-ray image. The filter includes a matrix of filter elements 13, 13′, 13″ in which a level of an X-ray absorption liquid can be varied. The amount of the X-ray absorption liquid within an individual filter element determines the value of the X-ray absorption within this filter element. It is necessary that the resultant amount of the X-ray absorption liquid within each filter element is reproducible. Such an X-ray filter (12) is mounted near the X-ray source and is rotated together with the gantry when an X-ray image is required with some angulation with respect to an object. When the X-ray filter is angled (&bgr;) with respect to the vertical direction (g), the hydrostatic pressure within filter elements varies with respect to the calibrated state and the resultant amount of the X-ray absorption liquid is not reproducible.

Abstract: An X-ray device with an X-ray source to produce a beam of X-ray radiation, an X-ray detector to detect this radiation and an X-ray filter with filter elements which is positioned between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector to attenuate the X-ray beam in each independent filter element individually. Even filter element (213) can contain a fluid (32) which is electrically conducting and X-ray absorbing, which is supplied via a transport channel (30), whereas the value of the X-ray absorption of each filter element can discretely adjusted by a stepwise adjustment of the level of the fluid (32) within each filter element. Each filter element comprises a first electrode, which is located in the wall of the filter element and is segmented in the length direction of the filter element (213), the segments being electrically combined in tow subgroups (213, 124) in order to apply an electric potential to the wall segments of the filter element to achieve a step-wise filling of the inner volume (31) by fluid (32).

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes an X-ray source for producing a beam of X-rays, an X-ray detector for detecting this radiation, and an X-ray filter with filter elements which is arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector so as to attenuate the X-ray beam in each independent filter element individually. Each filter element can contain a liquid filling (22) which is electrically conductive and X-ray absorbing, the value of the X-ray absorptivity of each filter element being discretely adjustable by step-wise adjustment of the level of the liquid filling within each filter element. Each filter element includes an electrode (23) which is positioned between an isolator layer (34) and a substrate (38) in a wall of the filter element in order to apply an electric potential to the wall of this element. Another electric potential is applied to the liquid filling. Therefore, an electric capacitance can be defined per unit of surface area of the filter element.

Abstract: A dental x-ray block to eliminate sheets of lead foil from dental x-ray film packets and to inhibit unnecessary x-ray exposure as well as backscattered reflections that can obscure x-ray images and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The dental x-ray block comprises a mouthpiece and a packet holder, which is coupled with the mouthpiece and configured to receive and engage a dental x-ray film packet. Being configured to significantly attenuate and/or absorb x-rays, an attenuation member is coupled with the dental x-ray block and is substantially in axially alignment with the dental x-ray film packet. Therefore, after the dental x-ray film packet has been exposed to a primary x-ray beam, the primary x-ray beam is significantly attenuated by the attenuation member to inhibit unnecessary x-ray exposure and secondary exposures due to backscattered reflections from obscuring x-ray images.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus with an X-ray source for producing a beam of X-rays, an X-ray detector for detecting the beam, and an X-ray filter with filter elements which is arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector so as to attenuate the X-ray beam in each independent filter element individually. Each filter element can receive a liquid having electrically conducting properties and X-ray absorbing properties, the value of the X-ray absorption of the filter element being dependent on the level of the X-ray absorbing liquid in the filter element. Each filter element includes a first electrode (23) which is located in the wall of the filter element and on top of the substrate layer (38) in order to apply an electric potential to the wall of the filter element. A second electric potential is applied to the liquid via a second electrode.

Abstract: A filter which includes a stack of deformable foils which are locally attached to one another, and also includes comparatively rigid members which are situated to both sides of the stack of foils, extend parallel to the surface of the foils and each of which is attached to an outer surface of the stack of foils by way of a buffer member. The foils can be moved away from one another in a main direction by means of the rigid members, which main direction extends transversely of the surface, in order to form ducts between the foils. The buffer member is then contractible mainly in a direction which extends parallel to the surface and transversely of the ducts.

Abstract: A beam filtering device comprises a strip carrying at least one filter. The strip is wound onto drums between which the strip extends. A rotary drive mechanism drives the drums in rotation to cause the strip to advance and wind onto one drum while unwinding from the other. Advancing the strip makes it possible to arrange one of the filters on the strip in the space between the drums. This allows radiation filtering characteristics to be readily and rapidly modified.

Abstract: An imaging system including a radiation spectral filter is provided for improving the quality of images obtained without increasing the dosage of radiation to the patient, and a method for improving image quality using such filtering are provided. The radiation filter is made of a material of a high atomic number, in order to filter out low energy and high energy x-rays from the beam of radiation prior to the beam being passed through the object to be imaged.

Abstract: Apparatus for analysing a sample comprises: