Radiation imaging system

Abstract

Abstract An energy discriminating apparatus and method is disclosed for use in connection with digital radiography and fluoroscopy. In use of the detection system and method an x-ray source (S) is actuated to direct x-rays through a patient's body (P), the x-rays including both higher and lower energy radiation. A first detector element, including a plurality of segments, is posi­tioned opposite the source to receive and respond pre­dominantly to x-rays in a lower energy range, the re­maining x-rays, being generally of higher energy, pas­sing through the first detector element. A second de­tector element, also including a plurality of segments, each segment including a phosphor coating layer and a sensor, is positioned to receive and respond to the higher energy radiation passing through the first ele­ment. The sensors are coupled respectively to each detector element segment for substantially simultaneous­ly sensing the response and spatial location, relative to the detector elements, of radiation to which each detector element respectively responds. A filter ele­ment is interposed between the first and second detec­tors to enhance discrimination in the energy response of the respective detector elements. Particular pre­ferred detector phosphor materials are identified. The sensors produce separately and simultaneously informa­tion representing patterns of relatively lower and high­er energy emergent from the patient's body. Digital data processing and conversion equipment responds to the sensors to produce digital information representing each of said images, which can be digitally processed to enhance image characteristics.

Inventors

• 👤 Gary T. Barnes

Bibliographic Details