Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An anti-scatter grid useful for X-ray imaging, comprising:an anti-scatter layer having a plurality of partitions; andat least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed to one surface of the anti-scatter layer, wherein thickness of one of the at least one plate is equal to or greater than thickness of the anti-scatter layer, each plate thickness being defined by a distance between two opposing surfaces of the respective plate that are oriented such that an incident X-ray passes first through one of the surfaces and then through the other surface;the anti-scatter layer being a polymer substrate with open cells formed therein, inner walls of the open cells layered with an X-ray absorbing metal layer, thereby defining the plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer being disposed such that a part of the incident X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the polymer substrate, while another part of the X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the open cells;wherein each plate imparts a rigidity to the anti-scatter layer;wherein each plate has a low surface density that does not substantially attenuate an X-ray that passes therethrough, and has sufficient homogeneity so as not to disturb an X-ray image through artifacts; andwherein the at least one plate consists of two plates of expanded polymer material arranged on opposing surfaces of the anti-scatter layer. 2. The grid according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plates is in polymethacrylimide foam or expanded polyetherimide. 3. The grid according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the two plates is formed of a material having a density of between 20 and 70 kg/m3. 4. The grid according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the two plates is formed of a material having a density of between 20 and 70 kg/m3. 5. The grid according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the two plates has a thickness of between 2 and 6 mm. 6. The grid according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the two plates has a thickness of between 2 and 6 mm. 7. The grid according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the two plates has a thickness of between 2 and6 mm. 8. The grid according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the two plates has a thickness of between 2 and6 mm. 9. The grid according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 10. The grid according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 11. The grid according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 12. The grid according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 13. The grid according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 14. The grid according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 15. The grid according to claim 7 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 16. The grid according to claim 8 wherein at least one of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 17. The grid according to claim 9 wherein the bonding is an adhesive arranged on a peripheral area of the anti-scatter layer. 18. The grid according to claim 9 wherein the bonding is an adhesive that forms a thin film extending over an entire surface of the anti-scatter layer. 19. The grid according to claim 18 wherein the adhesive is an aerosol adhesive sprayed to form a film. 20. The grid according to claim 18 wherein the adhesive is in film form. 21. The grid according to claim 1 wherein the two plates are of the same thickness. 22. The grid according to claim 1 further comprising:a protection layer for one of the plates. 23. The grid according to claim 22 wherein the protection layer is a polymer material formed of a composite material containing carbon fibers, a lacquer, or a varnish. 24. The grid according to claim 22 wherein the protection layer has a thickness in the order of 0.1 mm. 25. The grid according to claim 22 wherein the protection layer is arranged on a surface of at least one of the two plates oriented in a direction opposite to a means for providing a source of radiation. 26. The grid according to claim 1 wherein the partitions form a plurality of focalized cells. 27. The grid according to claim 1 wherein the partitions form a plurality of cells, inner walls of the cells being coated with a layer that absorbs radiation. 28. The grid according to claim 1 wherein the grid is positioned within means for protecting the grid. 29. A method for fabricating an anti-scatter grid useful for X-ray imaging, comprising:forming an anti-scatter layer having a plurality of partitions, the plurality of partitions defined by forming a polymer substrate with open cells therein and metallizing inner walls of the open cells with an X-ray absorbing metal layer;disposing the anti-scatter layer such that a part of an incident X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the polymer substrate, while another part of the X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the open cells; andfixing at least one plate of expanded polymer material to at least one surface of the anti-scatter layer, thereby imparting a rigidity to the anti-scatter layer, the at least one plate having a low surface density that does not substantially attenuate an X-ray that passes therethrough, and having sufficient homogeneity so as not to disturb an X-ray image through artifacts;wherein thickness of each of the at least one plate is equal to or greater than thickness of the anti-scatter layer, the at least one plate thickness being defined by a distance between two opposing plate surfaces of the at least one plate that are oriented such that an incident X-ray passes first through one of the surfaces and then through the other surface;wherein the at least one plate consists of two plates of expanded polymer material arranged on opposing surfaces of the anti-scatter layer. 30. The method according to claim 29 wherein each of the two plates is bonded to the anti-scatter layer. 31. The method according to claim 29 further comprising:forming a protection layer for at least one of the two plates. 32. The method according to claim 30 further comprising:forming a protection layer for at least one of the two plates. 33. The method according claim 31 wherein the protection layer is arranged on a surface of at least one of the two plates oriented in a direction opposite to a means for providing a source of radiation. 34. The method according claim 32 wherein the protection layer is arranged on a surface of at least one of the two plates oriented in a direction opposite to a means for providing a source of radiation. 35. The method to claim 29 further comprising:positioning the grid with means for protecting the grid. 36. An anti-scatter grid useful for X-ray imaging, comprising:an anti-scatter layer having a plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer comprising a polymer substrate with open cells formed therein, inner walls of the open cells comprising an X-ray absorbing metal layer, thereby defining the plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer being disposed such that a part of an incident X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the polymer substrate, while another part of the X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the open cells;at least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed to at least one surface of the anti-scatter grid, the at least one plate imparting a rigidity to the anti-scatter layer, having a low surface density that does not substantially attenuate an X-ray that passes therethrough, and having sufficient homogeneity so as not to disturb an X-ray image through artifacts;a cross-piece positioned on one side of an assembly formed by the layer and the at least one plate;respective U-shaped sections positioned on two opposite sides of the assembly; anda layer on another side of the assembly;wherein the cross-piece, the sections, and the layer on another side form a frame in which the grid is positioned;wherein thickness of each of the at least one plate is equal to or greater than thickness of the anti-scatter layer, each plate thickness being defined by a distance between two opposing plate surfaces of the respective plate that are oriented such that an incident X-ray passes first through one of the plate surfaces and then through the other plate surface; andwherein the at least one plate consists of two plates of expanded polymer material arranged on opposing surfaces of the anti-scatter layer. 37. An anti-scatter grid useful for X-ray imaging, comprising:an anti-scatter layer having a plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer comprising a polymer substrate with open cells formed therein, inner walls of the open cells comprising an X-ray absorbing metal layer, thereby defining the plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer being disposed such that a part of an incident X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the polymer substrate, while another part of the X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the open cells;at least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed to one surface of the anti-scatter grid, the at least one plate imparting a rigidity to the anti-scatter layer, having a low surface density that does not substantially attenuate an X-ray that passes therethrough, and having sufficient homogeneity so as not to disturb an X-ray image through artifacts; anda cross-piece positioned on one side of an assembly formed by the layer and the at least one plate;wherein thickness of each of the at least one plate is equal to or greater than thickness of the anti-scatter layer, each the plate thickness being defined by a distance between two opposing plate surfaces of the respective plate that are oriented such that an incident X-ray passes first through one of the surfaces and then through the other plate surface; andwherein the at least one plate consists of two plates of expanded polymer material arranged on opposing surfaces of the anti-scatter layer. 38. An anti-scatter grid useful for X-ray imaging, comprising:an anti-scatter layer having a plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer comprising a polymer substrate with open cells formed therein, inner walls of the open cells comprising an X-ray absorbing metal layer, thereby defining the plurality of partitions;the anti-scatter layer being disposed such that a part of an incident X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the polymer substrate, while another part of the X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the open cells;at least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed to at least one surface of the anti-scatter grid, the at least one plate imparting a rigidity to the anti-scatter layer, having a low surface density that does not substantially attenuate an X-ray that passes therethrough, and having sufficient homogeneity so as not to disturb an X-ray image through artifacts; andmeans for protecting an assembly formed by the layer and the plate;wherein thickness of each of the at least one plate is equal to or greater than thickness of the anti-scatter layer, each plate thickness being defined by a distance between two opposing surfaces of the respective plate that are oriented such that an incident X-ray passes first through one of the plate surfaces and then through the other surface; andwherein the at least one plate consists of two plates of expanded polymer material arranged on opposing surfaces of the anti-scatter layer.