Patent ID: 7794144

Claim:
An optical alignment system for X-ray imaging devices utilizing a point-source X-ray tube having an X-ray focal spot, comprising: a visible-light point source; a multi-axis positioner, coupled to said visible-light point source and fixedly mounted with respect to the X-ray focal spot, adapted to enable positional adjustment of said visible-light point source; a mirror fixedly mounted with respect to the X-ray focal spot and disposed in the beam path of the X-ray source, reflecting light emitted from said visible-light point source and transmitting X-rays emitted from the X-ray source; a first X-ray attenuating grid fixedly but removably mountable with respect to the X-ray source having a first X-ray attenuation pattern; and a second X-ray attenuating grid adjustably mountable with respect to said first grid having a second X-ray attenuating pattern corresponding to said first X-ray attenuating pattern, wherein when said first and second grids are aligned, said first and second attenuating patterns are also aligned and thereby allow X-rays from the X-ray source and light reflected from said mirror to pass therethrough.