DUAL ENERGY IMAGING USING OPTICALLY COUPLED DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM

摘要

This invention relates to an optically coupled digital radiography method andapparatus for simultaneously obtainingtwo distinct images of the same subject, each of which represents a differentx-ray energy spectrum. The two images may be combinedin various ways such that anatomical features may be separated from oneanother to provide a clearer view of those features orof underlying structures. The two different images are obtained using a pairof scintillators separated by an x-ray filter that attenuatespart of the x-ray spectrum of an x-ray exposure such that the first and secondscintillators receive a different energy spectrum ofthe same x-ray exposure. Alternatively, the two different images can beobtained without a filter and with two scintillators made ofdifferent fluorescing materials that react differently to the same x-rayexposure.