Multi-Linear X-Ray Scanning Systems and Methods for X-Ray Scanning

Abstract

An x-ray scanner includes an x-ray source producing a fan beam of x-rays, an x-ray detector array, a collimator, a second motor moving TDI detector arrays, and an x-ray processing unit. The detector array has the TDI arrays and detects x-rays from the source. The collimator disposed between the source and detector array defines slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into lateral beams with a height dimension the same as a height dimension of the TDI detector arrays. Either the collimator is fixed to the x-ray source or moves thereto. A first motor moves the collimator or the collimator and source together. The processing unit controls the motors, processes detection of the x-rays, and forms an image of an entity between the collimator and the detector array to have an intensity and contrast of the scanned image be maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An x-ray scanner, comprising:
 an x-ray source producing a fan beam of x-rays;   at least two x-ray detector arrays each:   having a detector dimension;
 having a plurality of time delay and integration (TDI) detector arrays each having a height dimension; and 
   detecting x-rays from the x-ray source along the detector dimension;   a collimator disposed between the x-ray source and the at least two x-ray detector arrays and defining a plurality of lateral slits to collimate the fan beam of x-rays into a plurality of lateral beams such that the lateral beams have a height dimension that is the same as the height dimension of the TDI detector arrays;   the collimator being fixed to the x-ray source, the x-ray source moving about a source movement axis;   a first motor moving the at least one collimator and the x-ray source together;   second and third motors each respectively moving one of the TDI detector arrays; and   an x-ray processing unit:
 controlling the first, second, and third motors; 
 processing detection of the x-rays by the at least two x-ray detector arrays; and 
 forming an x-ray scanned image of an entity disposed between the collimator and the at least two x-ray detector arrays such that an intensity and contrast of the x-ray scanned image is maximized while an exposure dose for the entity is minimized.