Method and system for acquiring full spine and full leg images using flat panel digital radiography

Abstract

Apparatus for acquiring an elongated radiographic image comprising: a flat panel electronic detector of radiographic images, said detector having a known length; and a transport mechanism for mounting said detector for movement in a direction parallel to said known length so that said detector can be positioned in sequential contiguous positions to acquire a radiation image greater in length than said detector length.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for acquiring an elongated radiographic image comprising: 
 a flat panel electronic detector of radiographic images, said detector having a known length; and    a transport mechanism for mounting said detector for movement in a direction parallel to said known length so that said detector can be positioned in sequential contiguous positions to acquire a radiation image greater in length than said detector length.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said detector is mounted for movement by said transport mechanism in a vertical direction.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a radiation attenuating marking device located between said detector and the source of said radiographic image, said device being dimensioned to be equal or greater than the dimension of said elongated radiographic image.  
     
     
         4 . The method of acquiring an elongated radiographic image comprising: 
 positioning an elongated object between a source of x-rays and a flat panel electronic detector of radiographic images, said detector having a known length; and    moving said detector in a direction parallel to said known length to position said detector in sequential contiguous positions to acquire a radiographic image of said elongated object