Abstract: A method of operating a radiographic inspection system is disclosed for a system in which a conveyor chain with identical modular chain segments transports articles under inspection. Two operating modes of the radiographic inspection system includes a calibration mode in which calibration data characterizing the radiographic inspection system with an empty conveyor chain are generated; and an inspection mode in which raw image data of articles under inspection with the background of the conveyor chain are acquired and arithmetically processed with calibration data into a clearer output image, without the interfering background of the conveyor chain.

Abstract: An X-ray tube can include: a cathode planar emitter that emits an inhomogeneous electron beam; an anode to receive the electron beam; a first magnetic quadrupole having a first yoke with four evenly distributed first pole projections extending from the first yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the first yoke and each of the four first pole projections having a first quadrupole electromagnetic coil; a second magnetic quadrupole having a second yoke with four evenly distributed second pole projections extending from the second yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the second yoke and each of the four second pole projections having a second quadrupole electromagnetic coil; and at least one coil of a first pair of opposing coils with alternating current offset from the power supply.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes an electronic cassette and a console device for radio communication with the electronic cassette. The electronic cassette includes a transmitter for transmitting a beacon for the radio communication. A regulation unit regulates beaconing of the beacon in a predetermined specific state among plural operational states. The console device includes a receiver for receiving the beacon. A communication failure detector checks whether a communication failure has occurred in the radio communication according to a receiving state of the beacon in the receiver. A display panel or speaker generates alert notification to notify the communication failure assuming that the communication failure detector judges that the communication failure has occurred. An operational state detector checks whether the electronic cassette is in the specific state.

Abstract: An x-ray calibration apparatus includes a radiolucent knee alignment jig configured to receive a knee of a patient and a radiolucent cushion configured to hold a patient's knee at a fixed angle of flexion. The x-ray calibration apparatus also includes a number of radio-opaque fiducial markers positioned within the radiolucent knee alignment jig.

Abstract: Provided is an X-ray tube which can perform stable X-ray radiation under a desired condition in a radiation region extending in a predetermined direction. Included are a base plate having an opening portion and made of alloy 426, an X-ray transmission window made of titanium foil and arranged to close the opening portion of the base plate, a flat box-like vessel portion attached to the base plate and inside of which is in a vacuum state, an X-ray target provided at the opening portion in the vessel portion, and an electron source injecting electrons to the X-ray target in the vessel portion. The electron source includes a liner cathode, a first control electrode pulling out electrons from the cathode and a second control electrode restricting radiation range of the pulled-out electrons. At this time, X-rays emitted from the X-ray window spreads radially from opening shape of the opening portion.

Abstract: With a mobile X-ray apparatus disclosed, an operator is able to go rounds without contacting to the mobile X-ray apparatus while the mobile X-ray apparatus traveling automatically tracks the operator. Since the operator controls the mobile X-ray apparatus without contacting to the mobile X-ray apparatus, the operator is able to carry more items necessary for patient diagnosis with an operator's free hand. In addition, the mobile X-ray apparatus automatically travels while tracking the operator from behind. Accordingly, an operator's view is not obstructed, ensuring prevention of the mobile X-ray apparatus from contacting to the obstructions. Moreover, when the operator enters into a no-entry area for the mobile X-ray apparatus, it is detected that the mobile X-ray apparatus is now ready to enter into the no-entry area, and accordingly, the mobile X-ray apparatus stops its automatic tracking function.

Abstract: An X-ray tube can include: a cathode including an electron emitter; an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons; a first magnetic quadrupole between the cathode and the anode and having a first quadrupole yoke with four first quadrupole pole projections extending from the first quadrupole yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the first quadrupole yoke and each of the four first quadrupole pole projections having a first quadrupole electromagnetic coil; a second magnetic quadrupole between the first magnetic quadruple and the anode and having a second quadrupole yoke with four second quadrupole pole projections extending from the second quadrupole yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the second quadrupole yoke and each of the four second quadrupole pole projections having a second quadrupole electromagnetic coil; and a magnetic dipole between the cathode and anode and having a dipole yoke with four dipole electromagnetic coils.

Abstract: A breast imaging system comprising an imaging apparatus with an illumination source, a detector, a breast support, a compression paddle slidable between an upper position and an lower position relatively to the detector, a compression command displacing the compression paddle upon actuation, wherein the compression command is placed at a reachable distance from the patient, wherein the breast imaging system further comprises a feedback device giving feedback information perceivable by the patient, the feedback information varying according to the position of the compression paddle.

Abstract: An X-ray detector comprises a directly converting semiconductor layer having a plurality of pixels for converting incident radiation into electrical measurement signals with a band gap energy characteristic of the semiconductor layer, wherein said incident radiation is x-ray radiation emitted by an x-ray source or light omitted by at least one light source. An evaluation unit calculates evaluation signals per pixel or group of pixels from first electrical measurement signals generated when light from said at least one light source at a first intensity is coupled into the semiconductor layer, and second electrical measurement signals generated when light from said at least one light source at a second intensity is coupled into the semiconductor layer. A detection unit determines detection signals from electrical measurement signals generated when x-ray radiation is incident onto the semiconductor layer, and a calibration unit calibrates the detection unit on the basis of the evaluation signals.

Abstract: Rise times and fall times provided by a high voltage generator are controlled to maintain image quality during such scans. The rise and fall times are controlled by first measuring rise and fall times at each transition. Then, a closed-loop controller is used to adjust control parameters of the high voltage generator, based on an error determined from the measurement, to achieve substantially constant rise and fall times. This invention may be based on the implementation of two closed-loop controllers on rise and fall time of fast-kV exposures. As a result, image quality may be improved and system calibration time may be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to generate distributed x-rays. A hot cathode of an electron gun is used in vacuum to generate electron beams having certain initial movement energy and speed. Periodic scanning is performed with the initial low-energy electron beams, which are thus caused to be reciprocally deflected. A current-limiting device is provided in the travel path of the electron beams along the direction of the reciprocal deflection. Through holes arranged in an array on the current-limiting device, only part of the electron beams targeting specific positions can pass to form sequential electron beam currents distributed in an array. These electron beam currents are accelerated by a high-voltage electric field to obtain high energy, bombard an anode target, and thus sequentially generate corresponding focus spots and x-rays distributed in an array at the anode target.

Abstract: A mobile X-ray apparatus includes: an X-ray radiation device configured to emit X-rays; a controller configured to control the X-ray radiation device; a power supply configured to supply operating power to the X-ray radiation device and the controller from a lithium ion battery and control overcurrent that occurs during emission of the X-rays by the X-ray radiation device; and a charger configured to charge the power supply.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reducing image artifacts in X-ray image data includes dividing pixels of X-ray image data into a plurality of pixel value regions based on a pixel value of each pixel, wherein each pixel value region has a different range of pixel values. The method also includes generating calibrated X-ray image data for each pixel value region, wherein the respective calibrated X-ray image data for each pixel value region is generated using a different dose of radiation. Further, the method includes calculating a gain slope for each pixel value region based on the calibrated X-ray image data, and calculating a pixel gain correction for the pixels of the X-ray image data based on at least one of the calculated gain slopes.

Abstract: An X-ray generating device includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray tube drive circuit, an electron acceleration voltage generation circuit, and a control unit communicating with the drive circuit and the voltage generation circuit, the X-ray tube, the drive circuit, and the voltage generation circuit are arranged inside a storage container filled with an insulating oil, a path connecting the drive circuit and the control unit includes an optical fiber cable arranged inside the storage container, the optical fiber cable has a coating that suppresses fluctuation due to a convective flow of the insulating oil, the coating is cured by, from a resin material containing a plasticizer, a part of the plasticizer being leaching out, and the control unit is configured to facilitate leaching of the plasticizer by driving the voltage generation circuit to apply a voltage to the optical fiber cable in a state of no X-ray being generated.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that fall times between high-kV to low-kV levels (during a “dual energy” or “fast-kV” energy scan) are linked to the discharge of HV (high voltage) capacitance. In an embodiment of the invention, a high voltage generator may be activated during fall transitions from first to second energy levels in order to substantially maintain a predetermined fall transition time. Accordingly, substantially equal energy distributions between high-kV and low-kV levels may be achieved.

Abstract: Method and systems are disclosed for radiating a moving target inside a heart. The method includes acquiring sequential volumetric representations of an area of the heart and defining a target tissue region and/or a radiation sensitive structure region in 3D for a first of the representations. The target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region are identified for another of the representations by an analysis of the area of the heart from the first representation and the other representation. Radiation beams to the target tissue region are fired in response to the identified target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region from the other representation.

Abstract: An X-ray system includes a plurality of X-ray detector modules and a backbone for positioning the detector modules relative to an X-ray source. A mount for each detector module is coupled to the backbone. One or more actuators extend between the mount and the detector module for individually adjusting the detector module relative to the mount for aligning the detector module. A plate with a rocker member may be attached behind each module and the mount then includes a frame with cradle surfaces for the rocker member.

Abstract: The disclosure specifies a circuit arrangement having electronic first components arranged on a circuit board and lying at high-voltage potential. The circuit arrangement includes functionless, electronic second components lying at high-voltage potential, which are arranged on the circuit board adjacent to the electronic first components, and configured to reduce the maximum electrical field strength between the first components and a reference potential and/or between pads of the circuit board and the reference potential. Through the additional, functionless components, the maximum electrical field strength between electronic components at high voltage and at a reference potential will be reduced. The disclosure also specifies a high voltage generation unit and an x-ray generator.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray imaging system, a control system, and a display processing circuit. The X-ray imaging system is configured to acquire X-ray image data of an object. The control system is configured to control the imaging system to acquire frames of X-ray image data corresponding to mutually different not less than three directions by reciprocating the imaging system. The display processing circuit is configured to generate stereoscopically visible image data by lining up the frames of the X-ray image data in a display order different from an acquisition order of the frames of the X-ray image data. The display order is according to a moving direction of the imaging system.

Abstract: A technique for indirectly measuring the degree of alignment of a beam in an electron-optical system including aligning means, focusing means and deflection means. To carry out the measurements, a simple sensor may be used, even a single-element sensor, provided it has a well-defined spatial extent. When practiced in connection with an X-ray source which is operable to produce an X-ray target, further, a technique for determining and controlling a width of an electron-beam at its intersection point with the target.