The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 05, 1998
Petrus W Linders, Eindhoven, NL;
Herman Stegehuis, Eindhoven, NL;
Wilhelmus J Welters, Eindhoven, NL;
Nicolaas P Willard, Eindhoven, NL;
Lambertus G Fokkink, Eindhoven, NL;
U.S. Philips Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source (1) for emitting X-rays. An object to be radiologically examined is arranged in an examination space. An X-ray detector (2) derives an image signal, for example an electronic video signal, from an X-ray image of the object. An X-ray filter locally attenuates the X-rays partly. The X-ray filter is arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and the X-ray filter is provided with filter elements whose X-ray absorptivity can be adjusted on the basis of an amount of X-ray absorbing liquid present within the individual filter elements. The X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray collimator for locally intercepting the X-rays. The X-ray collimator is arranged between the X-ray source and the examination space and is provided with collimator elements which can be switched between an X-ray transmitting state and an X-ray intercepting state. Individual collimator elements are filled with an X-ray intercepting liquid in the X-ray intercepting state. The amount of X-ray absorbing liquid present in the filter elements is controlled by application of an electric voltage to the relevant filter elements. The collimator elements are switched between the X-ray intercepting state and the X-ray transmitting state by means of an electric voltage which is applied to the relevant collimator elements.