Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for obtaining high-resolution digital X-ray and gamma ray images

US6272207A · kind A · utility

156Cited by
16References
84Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1999
Grant dateAug 7, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG21K1/025
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for obtaining a high-resolution digital image of an object or objects irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum generated by a radiation source, or of an object or objects emitting radiation within the x-ray or gamma ray spectrum. The apparatus comprises a detector matrix and a radiation mask. The detector matrix comprises a plurality of detector pixels, each comprising a detection surface having a respective surface area which generates a signal in response to an energy stimulus. The radiation mask has an opaque portion, and a plurality of apertures. The aperture size and position relative to the detector array determines the image resolution not the size of the detector pixels. The mask is positioned between the detector matrix and the radiation source, such that the opaque portion prevents portions of the radiation from passing through the mask, and each of the apertures permits a portion of the radiation which has passed through or has been emitted from a respective portion of the object to propagate onto an area of the detection surface, less than the surface area, of a respective one of the detector pixels. The si…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.