Patent ID: 7076029
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: A61B,G01T,G21K

Abstract:
1. A beam shaping filter assembly comprising: a first moveable filter having a non-uniform thickness, the first moveable filter having a body, a tail, and a curved portion connecting the body to the tail, the body formed at a first terminal end and the tail extending to a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end, the tail positioned at a distal end of the first moveable filter relative to an x-ray source designed to project x-rays from a focal point, and the body, the curved portion, and the tail constructed to establish an attenuation profile such that a maximum attenuation is defined by the body and a minimum attenuation is defined by the tail; a second moveable filter independent of the first moveable filter and having a non-uniform thickness, the second moveable filter having a body, a tail, and a curved portion connecting the body of the second filter to the tail of the second filter, the body formed of the second filter at a first terminal end and the tail of the second filter extending to a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end of the second filter, the tall of the second filter positioned at a distal end of the second moveable filter relative to the x-ray source, and the body of the second filter, the curved portion of the second filter, and the tail of the second filter constructed to establish an attenuation profile such that a maximum attenuation is defined by the body of the second filter and a minimum attenuation is defined by the tail of the second filter, and wherein at least one of the first moveable filter and the second moveable filter is configured to be placed in a high frequency electromagnetic energy beam for attenuation of the beam for radiographic data acquisition and wherein the first moveable filter is positioned nearer to the x-ray source focal point than the second movable filter; and at least one motor assembly configured to independently position a moveable filter such that a beam profile is created that substantially conforms to a shape of a subject to be scanned.