Patent ID: 7620150
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: A61B,G01T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for x-ray imaging of a target region of an object at shallow depths comprising: (a) an x-ray source generating a cone beam at least one peak voltage in the range of from approximately 10 keV to approximately 500 keV; (b) a planar template receiving said cone beam, said template in the range of from approximately 2.5 cm to approximately 30 cm from said source, said template having a pinhole with a width and an area in the range of from approximately 0.01 mm (c) means for moving said template in the plane of said template in increments of approximately one half of said pinhole width so as to scan said target region with a spatial resolution of one half of said pinhole width; and (d) a detector having a scintillator with a thickness in the range of from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 cm, said scintillator having an opening through which said pencil beam passes to said target region, said scintillator being adapted to be located adjacent to said target region; (e) whereby, as said pencil beam scans said target region, backscatter x-rays from said target region are received by said scintillator, which are used to form images of said target region.