Abstract: A method for Computed Tomography scanners using multiple tilted reconstruction planes includes view weighting data in accordance with χ ⁡ ( β , γ ) = { w b 0 ≤ β ≤ 2 ⁢   ⁢ γ m - 2 ⁢   ⁢ γ 1

Abstract: For the purpose of reducing degradation of image quality due to attenuation of signal intensity, or satisfactorily rendering blood flow even when fast blood flow and slow blood flow are simultaneously present in an imaged region, an imaged region A is divided into a plurality of adjacent slabs; RF pulses are transmitted with a flip angle profile whose flip angle &agr; varies with respect to the thickness direction in each of the slabs and whose average flip angle differs for each of the slabs, to collect NMR signals; and blood flow imaging is conducted based on the NMR signals.

Abstract: For the purpose of RF pulse tuning so as to effectively utilize the capacity of an RF transmission apparatus, in tuning the RF pulse for excitation use so as to make the flip angle of spins identical with its target value, the pulse width of the RF pulse is consecutively increased from its predetermined initial value until the flip angle of spins become identical with its target value (902 through 912). Further, if the flip angle fails to reach its target value even though the amplitude of the RF pulse is raised to the adjustable maximum, the next increment of the pulse width is determined according to the extent of failure to attain the target.

Abstract: A method for obtaining data includes scanning a lung of a patient with a Multi-Energy Computed Tomography (MECT) system to acquire data regarding a plurality of contrast agents.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a through terminal capable of maintaining air-tightness stably and an X-ray tube having the through terminal. The through terminal includes a tubular member, a plate member formed of an insulating ceramic material and bonded to an inner periphery of the tubular member in a hermetically sealed state, and pins extending through the plate member so that the portions thereof fitted through the plate member are located inside metallic tubes respectively and bonded to the plate member in a hermetically sealed state through the tubes. The tubular member is provided on an inner periphery thereof with a stepped portion for abutment thereagainst of a plate face of the plate member. The tubular member is formed of an alloy including at least iron, nickel, and cobalt.

Abstract: A method includes augmenting partially sampled field of view data using fully sampled field of view data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating the picket fence effect in PET scanners where the scanner includes a master clock and an event processing circuit that generates time stamps during each clock cycle, the scanner also including a coincidence detector that compares the time stamps during each clock cycle to identify coincidence events, the method including the steps of, for consecutive master clock cycles, identifying an overlap period that includes a portion of a first of the master cycles adjacent a second of the master cycles, adding an overlap period that occurs during the overlap period to the second of the master cycles to generate an extended cycle, identifying overlap events that occur during the overlap period in the first of the master cycles, copying the overlap events to the overlap period in the extended second cycle and performing a comparison of the events in the extended cycle to identify coincidence event pairs

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed using incremental table motion and partial data acquisition for increased volume coverage to reconstruct MR images across a large FOV without significant slab-boundary artifacts. At each table position, full z-encoding data are acquired for a subset of the kx-ky data. The table is stepped through a number of positions over the desired FOV and MR data are acquired over the plurality of table increments. Since full z-data are acquired for each slab, the data can be Fourier transformed in z, sorted, and then aligned to match anatomic z locations. The fully sampled and aligned data is then Fourier transformed in x and y to reconstruct the final image that is free of slab-boundary artifacts.

Abstract: A CT Fluoro system which, in one embodiment, includes an integrated controller, image reconstruction algorithms for increasing the speed of image display, and an enhanced image display, is described. The integrated controller enables the radiologist to maintain control of the system throughout the fluoro scan. The image reconstruction algorithms are generally directed to increasing the image frame rate or reducing image artifacts, or both, in the CT fluoro scan. The image display generally provides enhanced images and control to the radiologist during a scan procedure.

Abstract: For the purpose of always keeping the positional relationship fixed between a support section for supporting a supported object and a base section for receiving the support section, the present apparatus comprises: a support section 500 for horizontally supporting a supported object; a base section 112 having a horizontal plane on its top; and a position adjusting section 300 provided between the support section and the base section, for moving the support section forward/backward between a position above the horizontal plane and a position off the horizontal plane while keeping the support section at a level higher than the horizontal plane, and for moving the support section upward/downward between a position higher than the horizontal plane and a position lower than the horizontal plane at the position off the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A method for transporting a source pin in a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system having a transmission ring includes aligning the transmission ring with a source pin within a storage device having a magnetic force holding the source pin in place, and moving the source pin from the storage device to the transmission ring using a magnetic force greater than the magnetic force of the storage device.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a backprojection method and an X-ray CT apparatus by which backprojection processing can be simplified and sped up, instead of obtaining backprojection pixel data D2(x, y) directly from projection data D0 (view, ch), axially projected data D1 (view, pt) are obtained from projection data D0 (view, ch) by projecting them onto a straight line, and then backprojection pixel data D2 are obtained from the axially projected data D1.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed using continuous table motion while acquiring data to reconstruct MR images across a large FOV without significant slab-boundary artifacts that reduces acquisition time. At each table position, full z-encoding data are acquired for a subset of the transverse k-space data. The table is moved through a number of positions over the desired FOV and MR data are acquired over the plurality of table positions. Since full z-data are acquired for each slab, the data can be Fourier transformed in z, interpolated, sorted, and aligned to match anatomic z locations. The fully sampled and aligned data is then Fourier transformed in remaining dimension(s) to reconstruct the final image that is free of slab-boundary artifacts.

Abstract: A mechanically adjustable brake for use with a C-arm x-ray apparatus is generally comprised of a brake handle and an eccentric shaft support which, when rotated using the handle, actuates a cam and presses a brake pad into the C-arm. Movement of the C-arm is thus restricted when the brake is applied. The brake mechanism specifically includes a brake handle, a brake shaft, a cam mounted on the brake shaft, a plunger having a first end engaged with the cam and a second end having a brake. The brake handle is used to rotate the brake shaft and the cam, the cam pushes down on the plunger and the brake engages the C-arm. The brake mechanism further comprises a plunger support, a spring that is compressed when the brake is actuated and is decompressed when the brake is released thus permitting movement of the C-arm. The brake shaft is connected to the brake handle using an eccentric shaft support.

Abstract: In order to allow operation of key switches without awkwardly bending the elbow or wrist, and arranging key switches aesthetically in the appearance design while preventing confusion in operation and eliminating dead space within the area occupied by the key switches, key switches 1-1-1-6 are arranged horizontally in a row slantingly with respect to the horizontal and vertical directions of an operation panel 101.

Abstract: For the purpose of allowing confirmation of time progress during a run of a contrast agent protocol and the like on a display screen, time elapsed after freeze-off and time duration of freeze are displayed in a contrast agent protocol display region. In an elapsed-time-after-injection display region, time elapsed from the time of contrast agent injection is displayed. In a countdown display region, time remaining up to a scheduled time for the next operation to be made by an operator is calculated and displayed.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an X-ray generating apparatus which permits easy alignment of an X-ray tube and easy insulation against high voltages. A screw through hole and pin through holes corresponding respectively to a screw hole and plural pin holes formed in an end face of a base portion of an X-ray tube are formed in an abutment face of a bracket against which the end face of the base portion of the X-ray tube comes into abutment, and a screw and plural pins are inserted respectively from the bracket side into the screw hole and plural pin holes in the X-ray tube through the screw through hole and the pin through holes, thereby mounting the X-ray tube to the bracket. The bracket is formed by an integral structure of FR 4.

Abstract: A real-time imaging and visualization method and system that allows multiple field-of-view imaging on multiple receiver channels is disclosed. The method and system implement a semi-bit reversed modified phase-encoding scheme to acquire identical data over all receiver channels, and to reconstruct independently on each channel an image thereby providing multiple FOV images. The method and system provide for real-time catheter tracking where separate receiver channels collect anatomical roadmap data, guidewire data, and catheter data. The present invention uses a loopless antenna to acquire projection images thereby allowing the entire antenna and structures within its diameter of sensitivity to appear as a bright signal and a long narrow connected region. The present invention allows for very narrow FOV imaging for guidewire and catheter channels as well as full FOV imaging for roadmap image reconstruction.

Abstract: It is an X-ray generating apparatus having an X-ray shielding means superior in thermal conductivity. The X-ray generating apparatus comprises an X-ray tube, an X-ray tube container, and a support member which is constructed of an electrically insulating material and which supports the X-ray tube within the X-ray tube container, the X-ray tube container being constituted by a combination of copper alloy plates with lead incorporated therein and a plate of a composite material, the composite material being formed by laminating lead and epoxy laminated glass cloth sheets so as to include an intermediate layer of lead, the X-ray tube container having an aperture (for X-ray emission and containing the X-ray tube so as to prevent the emission of X-ray from any other portion than the aperture.

Abstract: For the purpose of identifying the phases of water and fat in a complex image captured using magnetic resonance, a complex image G1 is divided into a multiplicity of sections; if the phases of water and fat can be identified from a phase histogram of one section Sc, the phases of water and fat are obtained from a phase histogram of the section; if the phases cannot be identified, phase histograms of proximate sections in a predefined range C1 are added; if the phases of water and fat can be identified from the additive phase histogram, the phases of water and fat are obtained from the additive phase histogram; and if the phases cannot be identified, the same processing is repeated with stepwise enlargement of the predefined range.