Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.

Abstract: This document relates to determining the configuration of a medical imaging system, in particular a configuration which defines a desired viewing direction of the medical imaging system onto a patient. First, a fluoroscopic image of at least a part of a patient is captured using the medical imaging system and the target central beam is set in the fluoroscopic image. Then a target line in space is determined which, when projected into the fluoroscopic image, coincides with the set target central beam. Then the configuration of the medical imaging system is determined such that the central beam of the medical imaging system coincides with the target line in space.

Abstract: A system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; and the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode.

Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient using an imaging system includes applying, with a first component of the imaging system, a compressive force to the breast. A second component of the imaging system is positioned in a start position. The imaging system sends a first guidance signal to the patient. An imaging procedure of the breast is performed with the second component of the imaging system. Subsequent to performing the imaging procedure, a second guidance signal is sent to the patient.

Abstract: A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female.

Abstract: The present apparatus, system, and method relate to reliably capturing multiple x-ray images for later combination. An exposure shield blocks a portion of the x-rays emitted from a traditional emitter and collimator. The orientation of exposure shield may then be modified to block a second portion of x-rays while ensuring appropriate overlap of the captured images without intentionally moving the emitter or collimator and without the need for a patient to wear protective garb.

Abstract: A compact mmW spectroscopy cell system for detecting volatile organic compounds (compounds) in a gas. The system includes a gas collection chamber, an input buffer cavity for receiving the gas from the gas collection chamber, pumping devices to pass the gas from the buffer cavity to an absorption cell and maintain pressure, and a transceiver connected to the cell. The transceiver interrogates the absorption cell filled with the gas by passing a high frequency electromagnetic signal and sweeping the signal to generate an absorption spectra which is compared to a spectroscopy database for detecting the compounds in the gas. The absorption cell, collection chambers, and pumping devices are fabricated with standard CMOS processing techniques at chip and wafer scale. The transceiver bonded to the absorption cell with chip scale integration.

Abstract: Disclosed are an X-ray imaging system and method, and the system comprises an X-ray source, a high-voltage generator, a collimator, a digital flat-panel detector, and a host computer; a position relationship between a projection area and a subject is visually displayed through a display screen; as an image frame on the screen is directly dragged to a corresponding position of an image of the subject presented on the screen or an area of interest is drawn, the collimator automatically drives a collimating sheet to move and enables the projection area to move to an observation position required by the subject, and information about the area of interest is transmitted to the detector as an input for selecting a response area of automatic exposure control (AEC). The collimator cooperates with digital automatic exposure control (DAEC), so that a strict requirement is no longer existent for patient positioning.

Abstract: A compression paddle with a plurality of markers is advanced towards a patient's breast which has been positioned on a support platform for an imaging procedure. An initial position of the compression paddle is detected relative to the support platform when a portion of the breast is contacted. An initial marker is identified which is associated with a feature of the breast when the compression paddle is in the initial position. A compression target marker is based at least in part on the initial position and the initial marker.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining quantities of interest for particle therapy. An example method can comprise determining one or more first functions indicative of spectral fluence associated with a particle therapy. The one or more first functions can be based on a plurality of simulations of a particle beam. The method can comprise determining, based on the one or more first functions and a second function associated with calculating a quantity, data indicative of the quantity. The method can comprise causing output of the data indicative of the quantity.

Abstract: Provided are an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and a control method for an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer which are capable of preventing deterioration and breakage of a sample, and contamination of an inside of an apparatus even when an abnormality occurs in the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The X-ray fluorescence spectrometer includes: a measuring unit including: a moving mechanism configured to move a sample between a standby position and a measurement position; an X-ray source; a detector; and a first control unit; and an information processing unit including: an analysis unit; and a second control unit configured to control the measuring unit by communicating with the first control unit, the first control unit including retreat controller configured to perform retreat control for causing the moving mechanism to retreat the sample present at the measurement position to the standby position when communication between the first control unit and the second control unit is interrupted.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for wirelessly charging a digital x-ray detector of an x-ray imaging system in at least two orientations. In one example, a method comprises: detecting a digital x-ray detector in a charging area of an x-ray system, the charging area including a first power source; pairing the digital x-ray detector to the x-ray system via a wireless connection with the x-ray system; and wirelessly charging the digital x-ray detector via the first power source.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of trace detection, and discloses a heavy metal trace detection method and application thereof. The detection method; comprising the following steps: preparing a quality sample; mixing the quality sample with the sample to be tested according to a specific proportion; using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to detect trace heavy metals; and using standard curve to realize quantitative analysis of heavy metals. For the purpose of detecting heavy metal elements in tea, the application of this invention can shorten the detection time, avoid the use of a large amount of acid liquor, improve the environmental protection performance, and lower the detection cost, moreover, the obtained standard curve by this invention has high correlation and accurate detection results.

Abstract: A breast imaging apparatus includes a radiation source that irradiates a breast of a subject with radiation, a radiation detector that detects the radiation transmitted through the breast to output a radiographic image, and an ultraviolet light source that performs irradiation of ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light source irradiates an imaging table, a face guard, a pressing plate, and the like with the ultraviolet light in a case where a turn-on command signal input from an operator through an input device is input.

Abstract: Methods and systems for X-ray and fluoroscopic image capture and, in particular, to a versatile, multimode imaging system incorporating a handheld X-ray emitter operative to capture non-invasive images of a target; a stage operative to capture static X-ray and dynamic fluoroscopic images of the target; a system for the tracking and positioning of the X-ray emission to improve safety of obtaining X-ray images as well as improve the quality of X-ray images. Where the devices can automatically limit the field of the X-ray emission.

Abstract: A breast imaging system for examining a breast on a chest of a patient comprises first one or more shielding devices configured for placement on a first side of the breast and a first collimator and a first detector configured for placement on the first side of the breast and at a position that is further away from the breast and from the chest than the first one or more shielding devices are.

Abstract: A device for attaching an x-ray image detector holder to a commercial structure such as a pipe so that the modern digital image detector can be used in analysis and inspection. The x-ray image detector holder attach device is constructed to be attached to a structure and can include a flat image detector holder part, the image detector holder part having at least one peripheral slot; a structure contact part constructed to be strapped to a structure to be x-rayed, the structure contact part having a key sized to mate with the peripheral slot, the key having a lock constructed to hold the key in the peripheral slot; the structure contact part can be a means to attach it to the structure to be x-rayed such as a strap or suction cups.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging system includes a radiographic imager, an optical imager and an optical imaging condition setter. The radiographic imager detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and passed through a subject to take a radiograph. The optical imager takes an optical image of a region including a region to which the radiation is emitted from the radiation source. The optical imaging condition setter sets an optical imaging condition of the optical imager based on a radiographic imaging condition for the radiograph.

Abstract: The technology relates to a methods and systems for improving medical imaging procedures. An example method includes receiving a first set of quality metrics for a plurality of medical images acquired at a first imaging facility; receiving a second set of quality metrics for a second plurality of medical images acquired at a second imaging facility; comparing the first set of quality metrics to the second set of quality metrics; based on the comparison of the first set of quality metrics to the second set of quality metrics, generating a benchmark for at least one metric in the first set of quality metrics and the second set of quality metrics; generating facility data based on the generated benchmark and the first set of quality metrics; and sending the facility data to the first imaging facility.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method with which an imaged range in the past can be reproduced with high precision. In accordance with certain embodiments, an X-ray CT apparatus includes a camera-image producing section for producing a first camera image of a patient, a landmark fixing section for fixing a landmark with reference to a chest of the patient, and an imaged-range defining section for defining a first imaged range in a first scan based on landmark data representing the landmark. The camera-image producing section acquires a second camera image of the patient in a follow-up examination, the landmark fixing section fixes a second landmark with reference to the chest of the patient contained in the second image, and the imaged-range defining section defines second imaged range in a second scan based on landmark data representing the landmarks, and imaged-range data representing the first imaged range.