Abstract: Methods and a system for operating a programmable device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a master summary data and loading an original configuration data to configuration registers of the programmable device. The method further includes generating a current summary data by performing a summary operation of a current configuration data of the configuration registers of the programmable device, comparing the current summary data with the master summary data, and performing an exception action if the current summary data does not match with the master summary data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating, evaluating and distributing computer-tomographical 4D representations of the heart of a patient. The system includes a cardio CT appliance, where a first low-resolution reconstruction of cardio recordings in a multiplicity of cycle phases of the cardiac cycle and subsequent volume rendering of these cardio recordings for 3D representation and examination of the clarity of motion of the representation in the individual cycle phases are performed. This representation is used to select one or two cycle phases with a relatively reduced or even minimal lack of clarity of motion. High-resolution representations of the heart are reconstructed for these selected one or two cycle phases, with the computation and control unit transmitting only the high-resolution representations of the selected cycle phases with a relatively reduced lack of clarity of motion to the at least one workstation as still images, and the workstation being used to perform the evaluation.

Abstract: A method for determining a correction for beam hardening in CT images includes obtaining air scans at a plurality of kVp's, determining detection efficiencies for detector elements of the CT imaging apparatus, and estimating projection values through a combination of at least two different materials of different thicknesses. The method further includes determining a transfer function that translates the estimated projection values into ideal projection values for at least two of the different materials and storing the transfer function as the beam hardening correction for images of the CT imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method for normalizing a calibration of a computed tomographic (CT) imaging apparatus having a plurality of detector rows includes utilizing a prestored, predetermined inversion matrix and CT numbers obtained from images of a phantom to determine normalized calibration vectors for each row of a plurality of detector rows, and storing the determined normalized calibration vectors for each row of the plurality of detector rows in a memory for use in subsequent image reconstructions.

Abstract: A tomography appliance and method for a tomography appliance make it possible to calculate, in a simple and efficient manner, detector-element-related coefficients of an intensity function dependent on the detector output signal and to calculate the X-ray-emitter-related coefficients of an intensity function dependent on an X-ray emitter input value. This is done on the basis of measured detector output signals and at least one X-ray emitter input value, such that the intensity which acts precisely on the respective detector element can be determined from X-ray radiation originating from the X-ray emitter.

Abstract: Disclosed are imaging systems, methods, and computer program products that generate estimates of scattered radiation in tomographic imaging systems, such as cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) systems, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a first group of projections is taken of an object with the radiation covering a wide band of the object, and a second group of projections is taken of the object with the radiation covering a narrower band of the object. The projections of the second group cover less of the object, but have less scattered radiation. The scattered radiation within the narrower band may be estimated from differences between projections from the first and second groups, or from representations thereof.

Abstract: A method for compensating scattering includes acquiring the projective length of non-subject entities and acquiring the projective length of an object of radiography wherein the object of radiography is radiographed with a beam thickness set to the same value as a detector thickness and the object of radiography is radiographed with the beam thickness set to a value larger than the detector thickness. An amount of scattering is calculated based on the difference between the object data from the first scan and the object data from the second scan and stored in association with the sum of projective lengths. A subject is radiographed to produce data and the projective length of the subject is calculated along with the projective length of the non-subject entities having affected the data. The amount of scattering associated with the sum of the projective length and the projective length is then determined.

Abstract: A radiographic apparatus removes lag-behind parts from radiation detection signals taken from an FPD as X rays are emitted from an X-ray tube, on an assumption that the lag-behind part included in each X-ray detection signal is due to an impulse response formed of a plurality of exponential functions with different attenuation time constants. When a single attenuation time constant and intensity are provisionally set, checking is made whether an attenuation to a noise level of X-ray detection signals occurs in an X-ray non-emission state following an X-ray emission state. When the set attenuation time constant and intensity are found appropriate (OK), the impulse response having the single exponential function is determined valid. Corrected radiation detection signals are obtained by removing the lag-behind parts using the impulse response determined.

Abstract: A method is for taking tomograms of a patient's beating heart with the aid of a computed tomography unit. ECG signals of the beating heart are recorded. In order to reconstruct the cardiac tomograms, use is made of detector data that originate from a selected cycle area of the cardiac cycle. The cycle area from which the data for the reconstruction originate is selected automatically and individually per cycle, for at least one cardiac cycle, by use of pattern recognition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising recursively partitioning an intensity modulated beam into plateaus; and partitioning the plateaus into segments. The present invention also provides a method for controlling administration of radiation therapy to a patient based on static leaf prescriptions. In addition, the present invention provides a method for partitioning an IMB.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object includes scanning the object with a computed tomography (CT) system to obtain data, estimating a size of the object using the obtained data, using the estimated size of the object to perform scatter correction on the obtained data, and reconstructing an image using the scatter corrected data.

Abstract: An adaptive CT data acquisition system and technique is presented whereby radiation emitted for CT data acquisition is dynamically controlled to limit exposure to those detectors of a CT detector assembly that may be particularly susceptible to saturation during a given data acquisition. The data acquisition technique recognizes that for a given subject size and position that pre-subject filtering and collimating of a radiation beam may be insufficient to completely prevent detector saturation. Therefore, the present invention includes implementation of a number of CT data correction techniques for correcting otherwise unusable data of a saturated CT detector. These data correction techniques include a nearest neighbor correction, off-centered phantom correction, off-centered synthetic data correction, scout data correction, planar radiogram correction, and a number of others.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a multislice computer assisted tomograph, capable of carrying out a spiral scan of an object volume with a pitch p selected to be small enough that each slice of the object volume is multiply detected during the spiral scan. The method includes calculating, using measured data of two temporally consecutive at least one of revolutions and half revolutions, an image of the object volume from which a change inside the object volume between the two temporally consecutive at least one of revolutions and half revolutions is directly visible. An embodiment of the method can permit, for example, the detection and visualization of dynamic processes with an enhanced time resolution.

Abstract: A method includes performing a Cone Beam reconstruction of a thick image using a plurality of virtual planes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical X-ray device 5 arrangement for producing three-dimensional information of an object 4 in a medical X-ray imaging medical X-ray device arrangement comprising an X-ray source 2 for X-radiating the object from different directions and a detector 6 for detecting the X-radiation to form projection data of the object 4.

Abstract: A method for producing a CT image by applying Z-filtering to axial scan data collected using a multi-row detector, wherein second axial scan data is collected at a second position Z2 to which an X-ray tube and a multi-row detector are rectilinearly moved relative to a subject to be imaged from a first position Z1 toward an end of the multi-row detector, projection data corresponding to a central portion a2 of a reconstruction field P3 near the end of the multi-row detector is extracted from the second axial scan data, and Z-filtering is applied based on the projection data of reconstruction fields P1, P2 and P3 to produce one CT image.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing an image includes performing an iterative CT X-ray image reconstruction using a model including a point spread function (PSF) to reconstruct an image.

Abstract: A tomographic image reconstruction method produces either 2D or 3D images from fan beam or cone beam projection data by filtering the backprojection image of differentiated projection data. The reconstruction is mathematically exact if sufficient projection data is acquired. A cone beam embodiment and both a symmetric and asymmetric fan beam embodiment are described.

Abstract: A radiation tomographic imaging apparatus includes a scanning device for scanning a predefined region in a subject, a prescribing device for prescribing beforehand a position at which an image of said subject is to be produced at a higher priority in the scan region in said subject and a reconstructing device for sequentially reconstructing an image of said subject from projection data obtained by said scanning device, wherein once projection data at said prescribed higher-priority position has been obtained from said scanning device, said reconstructing device reconstructs an image at said higher-priority position at a higher priority.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coordinating two fluoroscope images, which permits accurate computer-based planning of the insertion point and angle of approach of a needle, drill, screw, nail, wire or other surgical instrumentation into the body of a patient, and subsequently guides the surgeon in performing the insertion in accordance with the plan.