Multi-linear X-ray scanning systems and methods for X-ray scanning

摘要

An x-ray scanner includes an x-ray source producing a fan of x-rays, an x-ray detector array, a collimator between the source and array, fixed to the source, and defining one or more slits collimating the x-ray fan into a linear x-ray beam. The array is spaced from the source such that a linear extent of the linear x-ray beam is no greater than a detector dimension of the array. An x-ray processing unit processes detection of the linear x-ray beam by the array. A processor-controlled motor moves the x-ray source about a source movement axis to pan the linear x-ray beam and create an x-ray emission cone and moves the array correspondingly with the source. The x-ray processing unit form an x-ray scanned image of an object disposed between the collimator and the array within the x-ray emission cone when the linear x-ray beam is panned across the object.

主权项

1. An x-ray scanner, comprising:
an x-ray source operable to produce a fan beam of x-rays and to move about a source movement axis; at least one x-ray detector array:
having a detector dimension;having a plurality of time delay and integration (TDI) detector arrays each having a height dimension; andbeing operable to detect x-rays from the x-ray source along the detector dimension; at least one collimator disposed between the x-ray source and the at least one x-ray detector array, fixed to the x-ray source, and defining a plurality of lateral slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into a plurality of lateral beams such that the lateral beams have a height dimension that is the same as the height dimension of the TDI detector arrays; a first motor operable to move the at least one collimator; a second motor operable to move the TDI detector arrays; an x-ray processing unit operable:
to control the first and second motors;to process detection of the x-rays by the at least one x-ray detector array; andto form an x-ray scanned image of an entity disposed between the at least one collimator and the at least one x-ray detector array such that an intensity and contrast of the x-ray scanned image is maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized.