Patent ID: 7016458

Claim:
An apparatus for obtaining tomographic data of an object comprising: a divergent radiation source provided for emitting radiation centered around an axis of symmetry; a radiation detector comprising a two-dimensional array of line detectors, each having a detection-sensitive area directed towards the divergent radiation source and being provided for one-dimensional imaging of radiation entering said detection-sensitive area; a region arranged in the radiation path between said divergent radiation source and said radiation detector provided for housing said object; and a device provided for moving said divergent radiation source and said radiation detector relative said object, while each of said line detectors is adapted to record a plurality of line images of radiation as transmitted through said object, wherein: said divergent radiation source is provided for emitting radiation within a solid angle such that radiation is directed towards the full extension of said object at least in a first dimension, which is perpendicular to said axis of symmetry; the line detectors of said two-dimensional array of line detectors are sited in rows and columns, wherein the line detectors of each row are sited edge-to-edge along a line, and are of a number and have each a length such that they together define an opening angle large enough to detect said radiation directed towards the full extension of said object in said first dimension; and said moving device is provided for moving said divergent radiation source and said radiation detector relative said object helically around a second axis being essentially perpendicular to said axis of symmetry and the direction of said first dimension, to obtain tomographic data of said object, wherein said helical movement includes a rotation less than essentially the sum of one full revolution and said opening angle, and a distance along said second axis corresponding to a distance between two adjacent detectors in a column of said two-dimensional array.