IP Library Granted Patent US 7,711,086
Granted Patent B2
US 7,711,086 · App. 12/074,900 · Granted May 4, 2010

Systems for improving a spatial resolution of an image

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,711,086
App. No.
12/074,900
Granted
May 4, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems for improving a spatial resolution of an image are described. One of the systems includes an X-ray source configured to generate X-rays, a transmission detector configured to detect the X-rays to output a plurality of electrical signals, and a plate configured to improve the spatial resolution upon receiving the X-rays. The plate is configured to output a fan-beam upon receiving the X-rays.

Claims (31)

1. A system for improving a spatial resolution of an image, said system comprising:

an X-ray source directed toward a plurality of focal points, said X-ray source configured to generate an X-ray beam that converges at a first focal point of the plurality of focal points;

a transmission detector configured to detect the X-ray beam to output a plurality of electrical signals; and

a plate positioned with respect to said transmission detector, said plate configured to interact with the X-ray beam at the first focal point and output a fan-beam upon interacting with the X-ray beam.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said plate defines an aperture configured to interact with the X-ray beam to output the fan-beam.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising a primary collimator, wherein the aperture is located at a focus of the primary collimator.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said transmission detector comprises a plurality of detector elements, each detector element of said plurality of detector elements corresponding to one pixel of a plurality of pixels, said plurality of pixels configured to detect the fan-beam.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a primary collimator configured to collimate X-rays into the X-ray beam, said plate defining an aperture configured to select a portion of the X-ray beam to generate the fan-beam.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said plate is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of said transmission detector.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said transmission detector comprises a dual-energy transmission detector.

8. A system for improving a spatial resolution of an image, said system comprising:

an X-ray source directed toward at least one focal point, said X-ray source configured to generate an X-ray beam that converges at the at least one focal point of the plurality of focal points;

a transmission detector configured to detect the X-ray beam; and

a plate positioned between said X-ray source and said transmission detector, said plate configured to output a plurality of beams from the at least one focal point upon interacting with the X-ray beam.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said plate defines an aperture configured to interact with the X-ray beam to output the plurality of beams.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising a primary collimator, wherein the aperture is located at a focus of the primary collimator.

11. A system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said transmission detector comprises a plurality of detector elements, each detector element of said plurality of detector elements corresponding to one pixel of a plurality of pixels, said plurality of pixel configured to detect the plurality of beams.

12. A system in accordance with claim 8 , further comprising a primary collimator configured to collimate X-rays into the X-ray beam, said plate defining an aperture configured to select a portion of the X-ray beam to generate the plurality of beams.

13. A system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said plate is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of said transmission detector.

14. A system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said transmission detector comprises a dual-energy transmission detector.

15. A system for improving a spatial resolution of an image, said system comprising:

a plurality of X-ray sources arranged along an arc and configured to generate at least one X-ray beam that is incident on a substance, the at least one X-ray beam converging at a focal point;

a transmission detector configured to detect the at least one X-ray beam; and

a plate positioned between the substance and said transmission detector at the focal point, said plate configured to output a plurality of beams at the focal point upon interacting with the X-ray beam.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said plate defines an aperture configured to interact with the X-ray beam to output the plurality of beams.

17. A system in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said transmission detector comprises a plurality of detector elements, each detector element of said plurality of detector elements corresponding to one pixel of a plurality of pixels, said plate directing the plurality of beams to said plurality of pixels.

18. A system in accordance with claim 15 , further comprising a primary collimator configured to collimate X-rays into the at least one X-ray beam, said plate defining an aperture configured to select a portion of the at least one X-ray beam to generate the plurality of beams.

19. A system in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said plate is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of said transmission detector.

20. A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said plurality of X-ray sources are configured to generate a first X-ray beam and a second X-ray beam, said plate comprising:

a first aperture configured to interact with the first X-ray beam to generate a first plurality of beams; and

a second aperture configured to interact with the second X-ray beam to generate a second plurality of beams.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2025
From: SMITHS DETECTION INC.
To: SMITHS DETECTION GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 073508/0846 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 30, 2025
From: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
To: SMITHS DETECTION, LLC
Reel/Frame 073411/0553 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 30, 2025
From: SMITHS DETECTION, LLC
To: SMITHS DETECTION INC.
Reel/Frame 073406/0059 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PURPOSE OF THE CORRECTION IS TO ADD THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION PAGE TO THE ORIGINALLY FILED CHANGE OF NAME DOCUMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 032122 FRAME 67. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Mar 19, 2014
From: MORPHO DETECTION, INC.
To: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
Reel/Frame 032470/0682 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 24, 2014
From: MORPHO DETECTION, INC.
To: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
Reel/Frame 032122/0067 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 15, 2009
From: GE HOMELAND PROTECTION, INC.
To: MORPHO DETECTION, INC.
Reel/Frame 023657/0598 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2008
From: HARDING, GEOFFREY
To: GE HOMELAND PROTECTION, INC.
Reel/Frame 020661/0212 →