Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for manufacturing an anti-scatter grid having a desired height comprising: positioning a bottom surface of a mask of dielectric material, with a depth at least equal to the desired height of the anti-scatter grid, on a sheet of metal;  cutting first and second series of intrinsically focused slots through a top surface of the mask to the sheet of metal:  plating the sheet of metal at the bottom of each of the slots of the mask with a radiopaque material to form partition walls of the anti-scatter grid; and  continuing to plate the radiopaque material into the slots of the mask until the desired height of the anti-scatter arid is achieved, wherein the mask is cut by:  attaching the top surface of the mask to a steel xe2x80x9ccombxe2x80x9d having teeth forming a plurality of parallel slots;  mounting a conductor at a xe2x80x9cfocalxe2x80x9d spot;  positioning the bottom surface of the mask on a xe2x80x9cdetectorxe2x80x9d plane;  connecting a high-resistance wire to the conductor and insulating the wire from the comb;  pulling the high-resistance wire taunt, applying a charge through the high-resistance wire, and cutting the first series of intrinsically focused slots in the mask by passing the taunt, charged high-resistance wire along each tooth of the comb;  attaching the metal sheet to the bottom surface of the mask;  detaching the comb from the top surface of the mask;  rotating the comb 90xc2x0 from its original orientation on the mask;  reattaching the comb to the top surface of the mask;  removing the metal sheet from the bottom surface of the mask;  cutting the second series of intrinsically focused slots in the mask by passing the high-resistance wire along each tooth of the comb;  attaching the metal sheet to the bottom surface of the mask; and  detaching the comb from the top surface of the mask. 2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mask is cut by: claim 1 positioning the bottom surface of the mask of dielectric material on a xe2x80x9cdetectorxe2x80x9d plane, while leaving a top surface of the mask of dielectric material uncovered;  positioning a mirror mounted on a two-axis gimbals at a xe2x80x9cfocalxe2x80x9d spot;  directing a laser beam off the mirror and onto the top surface of the mask of dielectric material; and  operating the mirror so that the first and the second series of focused slots are cut by the laser beam in the mask of dielectric material. 3. A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising mounting and electrically connecting a frame to the metal sheet. claim 2 4. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the frame is comprised of stainless steel. claim 3 5. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the metal sheet is comprised of aluminum. claim 2 6. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the mask comprises a fine grain styrene foam. claim 2 7. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the mask is secured to the metal sheet using hot wax. claim 2 8. A method according to  claim 7 , wherein wax is scraped from the metal sheet at the bottom of each slot of the mask prior to plating. claim 7 9. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the mask is secured to the comb using hot wax. claim 2 10. A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the comb is heated to remove the comb from the top surface of the mask. claim 9 11. A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising coating a lower surface of the metal sheet with wax prior to plating. claim 9 12. A method according to  claim 3 , further comprising coating the frame with wax prior to plating. claim 3 13. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the conductor comprises a stranded copper wire. claim 2 14. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of metal is plated at the bottom of each slot of the mask with a radiopaque material by: claim 1 immersing the metal sheet and the mask in an electrolyte containing ions of the desired radiopaque material;  placing an anode of the same radiopaque material in the electrolyte;  connecting the anode to a positive terminal of a power supply; and  connecting the sheet of metal to a negative terminal of the power supply. 15. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet is dissolved after the grid is plated. claim 1 16. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mask is dissolved after the grid is plated. claim 1 17. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the grid is cleaned after plating. claim 1 18. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the grid is machined after plating. claim 1 19. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: claim 1 dissolving the metal sheet;  dissolving the mask; and  securing very thin layers of carbon fiber laminate to opposite faces of the grid. 20. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the grid is comprised of a radiopaque material that is undissolvable by a predetermined agent and the metal plate is comprised of a material that dissolvable by the predetermined agent. claim 1 21. A method according to  claim 20 , wherein the predetermined agent comprises sodium hydroxide. claim 20 22. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet is relatively thin and provided on a relatively thicker sheet of radiolucent material. claim 1 23. A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the radiolucent material comprises carbon fiber. claim 22 24. A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the metal sheet is provided as a grid substantially in registration with the slots of the mask. claim 22