Variable focus X-ray anti scatter device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10682106-B2
Application number	US-201716321524-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 25, 2017
Priority date	Aug 25, 2016
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

An anti-scatter device (10) for an X-ray detector (100) is provided. The anti-scatter device (10) comprises an anti-scatter grid (12) with a plurality of slats (13) for absorbing X-rays and a cover element (14, 14a) arranged on a side (17a) of the anti-scatter grid (12), wherein ends (16a) of the slats (13) are coupled to the cover element (14, 14a), and the cover element (14, 14a) comprises an electroactive polymer material. A dimension of the cover element (14, 14a) is changeable by applying a voltage to the electroactive polymer material, such that a distance between the ends (16a) of the slats is changeable by applying the voltage.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An anti-scatter device for an X-ray detector, the anti-scatter device comprising:
an anti-scatter grid with a plurality of slats for absorbing X-rays; and
a cover element arranged on a side of the anti-scatter grid;
wherein ends of the slats are coupled to the cover element;
wherein the cover element comprises an electroactive polymer material; and
wherein a dimension of the cover element is changeable by applying a voltage to the electroactive polymer material, such that a distance between the ends of the slats is changeable by applying the voltage.

2. The anti-scatter device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the anti-scatter device is bendable by applying the voltage to the electroactive polymer material of the cover element.

3. The anti-scatter device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover element comprises at least one layer of the electroactive polymer material; and/or wherein the cover element comprises at least one electrode for applying the voltage.

4. The anti-scatter device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the anti-scatter device comprises a plurality of layers and a plurality of electrodes; and
wherein the plurality of layers and the plurality of electrodes are alternately arranged.

5. The anti-scatter device according to claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer material comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of Vinylidene-Fluoride and Trifluorovinyl.

6. The anti-scatter device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover element is formed as a foil.

7. The anti-scatter device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a further cover element;
wherein the anti-scatter grid is arranged between the cover element and the further cover element;
wherein further ends of the slats are coupled to the further cover element.

8. The anti-scatter device according to claim 7 ,
wherein the further cover element is rigid; and/or
wherein the further ends of the slats are fixed at the further cover element.

9. The anti-scatter device according to claim 7 ,
wherein the further cover element comprises electroactive polymer material; and
wherein a dimension of the further cover element is changeable by applying a voltage to the electroactive polymer material of the further cover element, such that a distance between the further ends of the slats is changeable by applying the voltage.

10. An X-ray detector comprising:
at least one anti-scatter device, wherein the at least one anti-scatter device comprises:
an anti-scatter grid with a plurality of slats for absorbing X-rays; and
a cover element arranged on a side of the anti-scatter grid;
wherein ends of the slats are coupled to the cover element;
wherein the cover element comprises an electroactive polymer material; and
wherein a dimension of the cover element is changeable by applying a voltage to the electroactive polymer material, such that a distance between the ends of the slats is changeable by applying the voltage.

11. The X-ray detector according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a flexible substrate foil;
an array of pixels arranged on the substrate foil and configured for detecting X-rays; and
a scintillator arranged on the array of pixels;
wherein the anti-scatter device is arranged on the scintillator;
wherein the anti-scatter grid is arranged between the cover element of the anti-scatter device and the scintillator; and
wherein at least a part of the X-ray detector is bendable by applying the voltage to the electroactive polymer material of the cover element.

12. The X-ray detector according to claim 11 ,
wherein the substrate foil comprises electroactive polymer material; and
wherein the X-ray detector is bendable by applying a voltage to the electroactive polymer material of the substrate foil.

13. The X-ray detector according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a layer comprising electroactive polymer material.

14. A method for producing an anti-scatter device, the method comprising:
providing an anti-scatter grid with a plurality of slats for absorbing X-rays;
arranging a cover element on a side of the anti-scatter grid, such that the slats extend transversely from the cover element;
coupling ends of the slats to the cover element;
wherein the cover element comprises an electroactive polymer material; and
wherein a dimension of the cover element is changeable by applying a voltage to the electroactive polymer material, such that a distance between the ends of the slats is changeable by applying the voltage.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Kok Christiaan
• Jacobs Johannes Wilhelmus Maria
• Raaijmakers Robertus Marinus Wilhelmus

Classifications

• G21K1/025 Primary

  using multiple collimators, e.g. Bucky screens; other devices for eliminating undesired or dispersed radiation · CPC title

• G02B1/04

  made of organic materials, e.g. plastics (G02B1/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B6/4291 Primary

  the detector being combined with a grid or grating · CPC title