Patent ID: 7430281

Claim:
An anti-scatter grid useful for X-ray imaging, comprising: an anti-scatter layer having a plurality of partitions; and at least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed to one surface of the anti-scatter layer, wherein thickness of one of the at least one plate is equal to or greater than thickness of the anti-scatter layer, each plate thickness being defined by a distance between two opposing surfaces of the respective plate that are oriented such that an incident X-ray passes first through one of the surfaces and then through the other surface; the anti-scatter layer being a polymer substrate with open cells formed therein, inner walls of the open cells layered with an X-ray absorbing metal layer, thereby defining the plurality of partitions; the anti-scatter layer being disposed such that a part of the incident X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the polymer substrate, while another part of the X-ray passes through the anti-scatter layer via the open cells; wherein each plate imparts a rigidity to the anti-scatter layer; wherein each plate has a low surface density that does not substantially attenuate an X-ray that passes therethrough, and has sufficient homogeneity so as not to disturb an X-ray image through artifacts; and wherein the at least one plate consists of two plates of expanded polymer material arranged on opposing surfaces of the anti-scatter layer.