Patent ID: 9575015
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: G01N,G21K

Claim:
1. A method for x-ray phase contrast imaging using an x-ray imaging system, the steps of the method comprising: a) acquiring an image of an object using an x-ray imaging system that comprises:  wherein the acquired image is indicative of a displacement of the focal spots based on a refraction of the x-rays by the object; b) providing a calibration image that depicts the pattern of focal spots defined by the array of x-ray focusing elements; c) producing a refraction angle map that indicates a refraction angle associated with each focal spot, the refraction angle map being based on the displacement of the focal spots measured using the acquired image and the calibration image; and d) repeating step c) while changing a relative angle between the x-ray imaging system and the object to obtain refraction angle maps for varying angles of illumination of x-rays onto the object; e) producing an image of the object that is indicative of an electron density distribution in the object based on the refraction angle maps.