Patent ID: 7221732
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An imaging system for taking an image of an object, said system comprising: (a) a mechanism adapted to propel said object linearly in a direction of motion through an imaging region, said region having a generally rectangular cross-section perpendicular to said direction of motion, said imaging region having a bottom, a top, a front, and a rear; (b) an x-ray source located below said bottom and aligned with or to the outside of said front, said x-ray source emitting an x-ray cone beam to said imaging region; and (c) a plurality of x-ray detector assemblies, each of said detector assemblies being comprised of a linear row of detectors above and substantially parallel to said top and perpendicular to said direction of motion, and a linear column of detectors outside of and substantially parallel to said rear and extending at an angle to said direction of motion, wherein each of said detector assemblies defines an x-ray fan beam within said x-ray cone beam.