Patent attributes
An x-ray imaging apparatus includes a holdable housing; an x-ray source mounted within the housing and configured to output a fan beam of x-rays; and a hoop chopper wheel rotatably mounted within the housing and comprising an x-ray attenuating material configured to block x-rays of the fan beam. The hoop chopper wheel defines a set of beam apertures of which each aperture is configured to pass therethrough a corresponding angular portion of x-rays from the fan beam, so that rotation of the hoop chopper wheel causes scanning of the corresponding angular portion of x-rays. The x-ray source may be a transmission-type x-ray tube configured to output the fan beam centered in an x-ray extraction direction forming an angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the x-ray tube.
