SCANNING MAMMOGRAPHY SYSTEM WITH REDUCED SCATTER RADIATION

摘要

15-XZ-3189 Method and apparatus for minimizing scatter in an X-ray imaging system of the type including a controllable source of X-ray radiation and means for collimating the X-ray radiation into a fan-shaped beam and effecting scanning of the X-ray beam across a target area. The improved system includes a grid assembly extending in a transverse direction across the target area and having a relatively narrow width in the beam scanning direction. A drive is coupled to the grid removing the grid in synchronism with the Xray beam and an X-ray impervious belt is coupled to the grid ant extends in a transverse direction across the target area and is movable with the grid for covering the target area outside the grid to prevent scatter radiation from impinging on X-ray film located beneath the grid. In one form, the grid includes a plurality of air interspersed septa to allow reduced beam energy. In another form, the X-ray beam is collimated into a point source by the use of an X-ray impervious disk positioned adjacent to and overlaying an X-ray window in the X-ray source.