APPARATUS FOR MOVABLY SUSPENDING AN X-RAY GRID, ARRANGEMENT WITH AN X-RAY GRID AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN X-RAY GRID

Abstract

An apparatus for movably suspending an x-ray grid. The apparatus has a carrier module, in or on which the x-ray grid is arranged, and a linkage. The linkage is configured to rotate the carrier module about an axis which is vertical to the x-ray grid and/or to translate the carrier module in the plane of the x-ray grid. An x-ray arrangement has an x-ray emitter, an x-ray detector and one or more apparatus for suspending the x-ray grid between the emitter and detector. The apparatus provides for play-free kinematics which is more cost-effective than the use of known precision drives.

Claims

1. An apparatus for movably suspending an x-ray grid, the apparatus comprising: a carrier module carrying the x-ray grid thereon or therein; and a linkage configured to effect at least one of the following: rotate said carrier module about an axis extending vertically to the x-ray grid; or move said carrier module in translation in a plane of the x-ray grid.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said linkage is trapezoid-shaped.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said linkage is embodied as a parallelogram.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said linkage includes four limbs and wherein: four swivel joints connect said four limbs of said linkage; and said swivel joints are flexible hinge elements.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said flexible hinge elements are plastic hinges or spring hinges.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said linkage is formed in one piece and from sheet metal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a motor-driven linear drive with a spindle disposed along a diagonal of said linkage, said spindle being configured to move said carrier module by changing a length of the diagonal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises an electromagnet disposed and configured to move said linkage.

9. An x-ray arrangement, comprising an x-ray emitter and an x-ray detector; and at least one apparatus according to claim 1 disposed between said x-ray emitter and said x-ray detector.

10. A method of operating an x-ray arrangement, the method comprising: providing an x-ray arrangement according to claim 9; and selectively rotating the x-ray grid about a predetermined angle and/or moving the x-ray grid translationally about a predetermined path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for movable suspension with a trapezoid-shaped linkage;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a movable suspension with a trapezoid-shaped linkage in a first position;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a movable suspension with a trapezoid-shaped linkage in a second position;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows an apparatus for movable suspension with a parallelogram-type linkage;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a movable suspension with a parallelogram-type linkage in a first position;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a movable suspension with a parallelogram-type linkage in a second position; and

[0032] FIG. 7 shows an arrangement with a number of x-ray grids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0033] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an apparatus for movably suspending an x-ray grid 1. The x-ray grid 1 is attached to a carrier module 2. The carrier module 2 can be rotated, or pivoted, by a linkage 3 about an axis at right angles to the x-ray grid 1. To this end, the linkage 3 is trapezoid-shaped. It has two parallel limbs 4 and two limbs 4 connecting the same. The limbs 4 are rotatably connected with one another using four swivel joints 5. The swivel joints 5 are embodied as plastic hinges.

[0034] The movement of the linkage 3 and thus the rotation of the carrier module 2 is carried out with the aid of a linear drive 6, the spindle 7 of which runs along the diagonal of the trapezoid. The carrier module 2 is rotated by changing the length of the diagonal (=spindle length within the linkage 3).

[0035] The carrier module 2 and the linkage 3 can preferably be formed in one piece from sheet metal. Instead of the linear drive 6, an electromagnet which moves the linkage 3 can also be used.

[0036] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the apparatus according to FIG. 1 in a top view in a first and in a second position. In the first position according to FIG. 2 the length of the spindle 7 along the diagonal of the linkage 3 is greater compared with the second position according to FIG. 3. The carrier module 2 is “tilted” about an axis which projects from the image plane.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an apparatus for movably suspending an x-ray grid 1. The x-ray grid 1 is attached to a carrier module 2. The carrier module 2 can be moved translationally in the plane of the x-ray grid by a linkage 3. To this end, the linkage is designed in the manner of a parallelogram. It has in each case two parallel limbs 4, which are rotatably connected to four swivel joints 5 in the corners. The swivel joints 5 are embodied as plastic hinges.

[0038] The movement of the linkage 3 and thus the translation of the carrier module 2 is carried out with the aid of a linear drive 6, the spindle 7 of which runs along the diagonal of the parallelogram. The carrier module 2 is moved by changing the length of the diagonal (=spindle length within the linkage 3).

[0039] The carrier module 2 and the linkage 3 can preferably be formed in one piece from sheet metal.

[0040] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the apparatus according to FIG. 4 in a top view in a first and in a second position. In the first position according to FIG. 5 the length of the spindle 7 along the diagonal of the linkage 3 is greater compared with the second position according to FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the carrier module 2 is deflected compared with the first position (moved horizontally in two directions).

[0041] A number of linkages 3 can engage with the carrier module 2 so that further movements are possible.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows an interferometric arrangement for phase contrast imaging with three phase grids 1 in a grid suspension 10 in each case, which can be embodied in accordance with the apparatus from FIG. 1 and FIG. 6. The grid suspensions 10 are arranged between an x-ray emitter 13 and an x-ray detector 14.

[0043] Although the invention is illustrated and described in more detail by the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the protective scope of the invention.

[0044] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0045] 1 x-ray grid [0046] 2 carrier module [0047] 3 linkage [0048] 4 limb [0049] 5 swivel joint [0050] 6 linear drive [0051] 7 spindle [0052] 8 x-ray emitter [0053] 9 x-ray detector [0054] 10 grid suspension