Patent ID: 6134297
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A61B,G21K

Abstract:
A two-dimensional x-ray imaging system for taking images of a subject, said system comprising:(a) in physical sequence from front to back, an x-ray source, a front two-dimensional x-ray detector, a beam selection means, and a rear two-dimensional x-ray detector, said subject being located between said x-ray source and said front detector;(b) said x-ray source being adapted to emit x-rays of a single-energy spectrum for passage through said subject, said x-rays including primary x-rays having their direction of travel unaltered by interaction with said subject and said x-rays including scatter x-rays having their direction of travel altered by interaction with said subject;(c) said front detector receiving said primary x-rays and said scatter x-rays, said front detector being incapable of distinguishing different x-ray energy levels;(d) said beam selection means permitting said rear detector to receive a passed portion of said x-rays and preventing said rear detector from receiving a blocked portion of said x-rays;(e) said rear detector receiving substantially only said passed x-rays, said rear detector being incapable of distinguishing different x-ray energy levels; and(f) a computing means for determining a rear low-resolution primary x-ray image at said rear detector from an image of said passed x-rays, calculating a front low-resolution primary x-ray image from said rear low-resolution primary x-ray image, calculating a front low-resolution scatter x-ray image from said front low-resolution primary x-ray image, calculating a front high-resolution scatter x-ray image from said front low-resolution scatter x-ray image, and calculating a front high-resolution primary x-ray image from said front high-resolution scatter x-ray image.