Thermotrex Corporation

Thermo Electron Corporation

Trex Medical Corporation

Joseph A Buturlia

Anthony J Pellegrino

David P Lieb

Daniel N Lyke

Robert F Lynch

Iain Fraser

A focused radiation collimator for collimating radiation emitted from a radiation point source located at a substantially known focal distance from the collimator is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosed collimator, the collimator is formed by at least two collimator layer groups, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the collimator layer groups have a plurality of layer group passages arranged there through in a predetermined pattern which is unique to the layer group but which, with the passages of the other collimator layer group in the aligned stack, additively form a plurality of collimator through channels which are substantially aimed at the radiation point source. Each collimating layer group is formed by at least two substantially identical radiation absorbing layers, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the substantially identical radiation absorbing layers have a plurality of openings arranged there through in substantially the same predetermined pattern which, with the plurality of openings of the other radiation absorbing layer in the aligned stack, additively form the layer group passages. High aspect ratio collimators having very small diameter through channels can be efficiently made in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

Focused radiation collimator

Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving radiation imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the radiation exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.

Air cross grids for X-ray imaging

Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.

Air cross grids for mammography and methods for their manufacture and use

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West Boxford, MA, United States of America

Joseph A Buturlia