Patent ID: 8213572

Claim:
An apparatus for obtaining a long-length x-ray image of a subject, comprising: an x-ray source; a first sensor configured to sense x-ray transmission from the x-ray source and to generate a first signal that indicates termination of x-ray emission from the x-ray source; a digital radiography detector that is energizable to generate image data after receiving x-ray emission from the x-ray source; a detector transport apparatus actuable in response to the first signal to translate the digital radiography detector from at least a first detector position to a second detector position for generating image data at each detector position; a processor in communication with the digital radiography detector for obtaining the image data of the subject that is generated from the detector; a movable mask operatively associated with the x-ray source and providing an aperture that directs x-rays from the x-ray source toward the subject for capturing a plurality of separate images of the subject on the digital radiography detector; a second sensor operatively associated with the movable mask to produce a second signal in response to detecting X-ray emission from the source; and a mask translation control responsive to the second signal for moving the movable mask from at least a first mask position to a second mask position for exposing an area of the subject.