Patent ID: 6940948

Claim:
A digital X-ray scanning apparatus ( 1 ) comprising an X-ray source ( 2 ), an X-ray collimator ( 3 ), an X-ray detector ( 14 ), mounting means ( 9 - 11 ) for mounting the X-ray detector ( 14 ), scanning means ( 12 , 7 ) for scanning ( 8 b , 27 ) the X-ray detector ( 14 ) over an area ( 5 ), means ( 16 ) for digital data acquisition from the X-ray detector ( 14 ) and a control unit ( 2 c ) for steering the X-ray apparatus ( 1 ), wherein the mounting and scanning means ( 9 - 12 , 7 ) comprise additional means ( 13 , 15 ) for orienting ( 8 c ) the X-ray detector ( 14 ) in at least one dimension towards the X-ray source ( 2 ) during a digital scanning procedure, an orienting movement ( 8 c ) and a scanning movement ( 8 b , 27 ) are independent degrees of freedom of the X-ray detector ( 14 ) and the X-ray apparatus ( 1 ) can steer the orienting movement ( 8 c ) of the X-ray detector ( 14 ) in coordination with the scanning movement ( 8 b , 27 ) of the X-ray detector ( 14 ); the mounting and scanning means ( 9 - 12 , 7 ) comprise translational means ( 11 , 12 ) for moving the X-ray detector ( 14 ) along a straight line segment ( 8 b , 27 ) or along a curved or circular line segment, the additional means ( 13 , 15 ) comprise rotational means ( 13 , 15 ) for tilting ( 8 c ) the X-ray detector ( 14 ) in order to maintain a constant aspect ratio of the X-ray detector ( 14 ) as viewed from the X-ray source ( 2 ), and the X-ray detector ( 14 ) is a single- or multi-line digital X-ray detector ( 14 ); characterized in that the translational means ( 11 ) is a carriage ( 11 ) that is movable in a direction perpendicular to its laterial extension, the rotational means ( 13 ) is a rotatable plate ( 13 ) that is mounted on the carriage ( 11 ) and receives the X-ray detector ( 14 ), and the rotatable plate ( 13 ) is laterally extended for receiving an elongated single-line digital X-ray detector ( 14 ) suitable for partial or full body X-ray scanning ( 8 a , 8 b , 27 ).