Patent ID: 7687792
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: G01N,G01T,G02F

Abstract:
1. A digital radiographic imaging system, comprising: a) an x-ray light valve including a first photoconductive detector layer and an electro-optic light modulator disposed on said first photoconductive detector layer, said electro-optic light modulator being configured to store optical images induced therein for a pre-selected period of time, means for applying and removing an exposure bias potential across said x-ray light valve such that when said exposure bias potential is applied an electric field is produced in said x-ray light valve and hence across said first photoconductive detector layer, whereupon exposing said x-ray light valve to x-rays having passed through an object to be imaged to form an x-ray exposure of said object, said first photoconductive detector layer absorbing x-rays having passed through said object forming electron-hole pairs separated by said exposure bias potential thereby to form a charge image which corresponds to the absorbed x-rays creating variations in potential across said electro-optic modulator, and upon removing said exposure bias potential the charge image induces an entire static optical image of said x-ray exposure in the electro-optic light modulator, which is stored in the electro-optic light modulator and lasts for said pre-selected period of time without changes to said entire static optical image to enable capture of said entire static optical image by scanning; b) a readout light source configured to illuminate a portion of said entire static optical image stored in said electro-optic light modulator, said variations in potential across said electro-optic modulator modulating an intensity of said readout light illuminating said portion of said entire static optical image thereby to create an optical representation of said x-ray exposure; c) an optical imaging device positioned at a pre-selected position with respect to said x-ray light valve to receive said modulated intensity of readout light capturing said portion of said stored entire static optical image of said x-ray exposure; d) a scanning mechanism to which said optical imaging device is attached which is configured for moving said optical imaging device with respect to said x-ray light valve to enable sequential capture of some or all portions of said entire static optical image over said pre-selected period of time; and e) a processor coupled to said optical imaging device to digitize, produce and store a digitized version of some or all portions of said entire static optical image of said x-ray exposure.