Abstract: 3D reconstructions can be calculated from grayscale X-ray images taken at different angular positions of an X-ray source and detector rotatable about a common axis. In the present case, X-ray radiation is applied to the object to be imaged such that one half of the X-ray detector receives radiation which differs in one characteristic from the radiation received by the second half of the detector via the object. A kind of dual-energy imaging can then be carried out in a single pass through the angular positions, enabling two 3D reconstructions to be generated simultaneously and then merged.

Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry, an x-ray source, a detector, and a grating collimator that includes alternating first and second materials. The system includes a controller configured to emit a first beam of x-rays from a first focal spot and to a first detector pixel, wherein the first beam of x-rays passes along a ray and through one of the first materials of the grating collimator, and subsequently emit a second beam of x-rays from a second focal spot and to the first detector pixel, wherein the second beam of x-rays passes substantially along the ray and through one of the second materials of the grating collimator. The system includes a computer programmed to generate first and second kVp image datasets using data acquired from the first beam and second beams of x-rays, and reconstruct a basis material image of the object.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a tomographic image generating section that acquires generates tomographic images, a display processing section that displays a second radiographic image, and detection section. If a region of interest is specified on the second radiographic image, the detection section performs image analysis by comparing the region of interest with corresponding regions that are regions in the tomographic images corresponding to the region of interest, and detects a tomographic image including a corresponding region that is similar to the region of interest. If a position of interest is specified on the second radiographic image, the detection section performs image analysis by comparing the position of interest with corresponding positions that are positions in the tomographic images corresponding to the position of interest, and detects a tomographic image including a corresponding position that is similar to the position of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting an object is present. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source. A beam is formed from a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source using a collimator. The collimator is connected to the radiation source by a bearing system comprising a first structure associated with the radiation source and a second structure connected to the first structure. The second structure is configured to hold the collimator. The second structure of the bearing system is moved using a movement system such that the second structure rotates in one of a plurality of directions substantially about a center point in the radiation source while the radiation source remains stationary relative to the second structure. Rotation of the second structure substantially about the center point in the radiation source changes a direction in which the beam is directed.

Abstract: There is provided an X-ray imaging apparatus which images a specimen. The X-ray imaging apparatus comprises: an X-ray source; a diffraction grating configured to diffract an X-ray from the X-ray source; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray diffracted by the diffraction grating; and a calculator configured to calculate phase information of the specimen on the basis of an intensity distribution of the X-ray detected by the X-ray detector, wherein the calculator obtains a spatial frequency spectrum from the plural intensity distributions, and calculates the phase information from the obtained spatial frequency spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating patients with x-ray radiation is provided. The apparatus includes a lowerable patient support and an x-ray apparatus that may be positioned below the lowerable patient support. The apparatus is configured such that part of the x-ray apparatus is moved into the lowerable patient support when the patient support is lowered. The lowerable patient support may be lowered further, thereby facilitating access for the patient.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a sub-pixel point position of a marker point in an image. Embodiments of the invention allow a marker point sub-pixel localization module executable by an electronic processing unit to obtain an image, including a marker point, and to derive both a background corrected marker point profile and a background and baseline corrected marker point profile. Additionally, embodiments of the invention allow defining of a sub-pixel position of the marker point as a center of a peak of the background corrected marker point profile. Thus, embodiments of the invention allow for rapidly detecting and localizing external markers placed on a patient in projection images.

Abstract: Provided is an X-ray device which can perform X-ray imaging without an object being subjected to ineffective exposure even when the X-ray imaging is interrupted by the occurrence of an error. The X-ray device is provided with an X-ray generator, an operation panel configured to set an imaging condition, an X-ray irradiation control unit configured to control X-ray irradiation in accordance with the imaging condition, an error detecting unit, configured to, during the X-ray irradiation, detect the occurrence of an error by which the X-ray irradiation should be interrupted, an irradiation interrupting unit configured to interrupt the X-ray irradiation when the occurrence of the error is detected, and a recovery unit configured to resume the X-ray irradiation for ensuring the X-ray amount defined by the imaging condition.

Abstract: A method for processing a sequence of a plurality of 2D projection images of an object of interest, acquired with a medical imaging system comprising a source of X-rays adapted to move around the object is provided. The method comprises obtaining 2D projection images of the object of interest according to a plurality of angulations at a first time when the object is without injection of a contrast product; obtaining 2D projection images of the object of interest according to a plurality of angulations at a second time when the object is opacified by injection of a contrast product iteratively treating the projection images by minimizing relative to a sequence of 3D images, wherein the minimizing solution is a set of estimated 3D images.

Abstract: Relative movement about an axis of rotation is caused as between an energy source/detector array with respect to an object (where the object can comprise either an object to be projected to facilitate a study of the object or a calibration object to be projected as part of calibrating usage of the energy source/detector array). The energy source/detector array are used during this relative movement to scan the object and to obtain corresponding object project data. That object projection data is then used to determine a parameter as corresponds to at least one scanning geometry characteristic as corresponds to using the energy source and the corresponding detector array while causing the aforementioned relative movement to scan the object.

Abstract: The present application discloses a computed tomography system having non-rotating X-ray sources that are programmed to optimize the source firing pattern. In one embodiment, the CT system is a fast cone-beam CT scanner which uses a fixed ring of multiple sources and fixed rings of detectors in an offset geometry. It should be appreciated that the source firing pattern is effectuated by a controller, which implements methods to determine a source firing pattern that are adapted to geometries where the X-ray sources and detector geometry are offset.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention a method and apparatus for generating complete scout scans with CT imaging devices having offset detector geometries is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for increasing the reconstructable field of view for CT imaging devices having offset detector geometries is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for image reconstruction for region of interest and full-body imaging with CT imaging devices having offset detector geometries is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a combined x-ray and SPECT imaging system is provided.

Abstract: A cone-beam scanning system scans along a half circle. The reconstruction uses a weighting function which decreases for rows farther from the scan plane to take the redundancy of the projection data into account. Another embodiment uses a circle plus sparse helical scan geometry. Image data can be taken in real time.

Abstract: A medical imaging device capable of determining the number of projections in which at least one point located above or at the level of the object support surface is present.

Abstract: There is provided a surface microstructure measurement method, a surface microstructure measurement data analysis method, and an X-ray scattering measurement device which can accurately measure a microstructure on a surface and which can evaluate a three-dimensional structural feature. In the surface microstructure measurement method, the specimen surface is irradiated with X-ray at a grazing incident angle and a scattering intensity is measured; a specimen model with a microstructure on a surface in which one or more layers is formed in a direction perpendicular to the surface and unit structures are periodically arranged in a direction parallel to the surface within the layers is assumed; a scattering intensity of X-ray scattered by the microstructure is calculated in consideration of effects of refraction and reflection caused by the layer; and the scattering intensity of X-ray calculated by the specimen model is fitted to the measured scattering intensity.

Abstract: In order to improve the tiling workability in manufacturing an X-ray detector and provide a technology for acquiring high-quality reconstruction images, when aligning a plurality of detector blocks (or detector modules) in a slice direction, a distance between adjacent X-ray detection elements between detector blocks (inter-block distance) is not matched with a distance between adjacent detector elements within a detector block (intra-block distance). Instead, between reference positions when manufacturing each detector block, output values at the positions, the number of which is the same as the number of X-ray detection elements between the reference positions and which are spaced at equal intervals, are estimated from the acquired raw data. Projection data is generated from the position and the raw data.

Abstract: Smoothing processing appropriate for a subject is performed and a CT image in which artifacts are reduced is acquired. At least a part of the X-ray detecting data 171 and the projection data 174 is used to generate boundary data 175, and at least one of the X-ray detecting data and the projection data is subjected to smoothing processing, by using the boundary data as a threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to perform smoothing processing by using as the threshold, the boundary data generated from the X-ray detecting data that passed through the subject or its projection data, enabling the smoothing processing adapted to the subject, and accordingly, the artifacts are removed while suppressing deterioration of spatial resolution.

Abstract: A method for aligning a radiation source with a portable image receiver in a radiographic imaging system generates a magnetic field with a predetermined field pattern and with a time-varying vector direction at a predetermined frequency from an emitter apparatus that is coupled to the radiation source, wherein the generated magnetic field further comprises a synchronization signal. Sensed signals from the magnetic field are obtained from a sensing apparatus that is coupled to the image receiver, wherein the sensing apparatus comprises three or more sensor elements, wherein at least two of the sensor elements are arranged at different angles relative to each other and are disposed outside the imaging area of the image receiver. An output signal is indicative of an alignment adjustment according to the amplitude and phase of the obtained sensed signals relative to the synchronization signal.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a method for the reconstruction of image data from an examined object, using measuring data, wherein the measuring data were first recorded during a relative movement between a radiation source on a computer tomography system and the examined object. In at least one embodiment, the image reconstruction is based on a back projection of the filtered measuring data. During the back projection, a back projection weight that depends on the respective image point is used and the power with which the back projection weight is used is selectable.

Abstract: Tomosynthesis data may be acquired from an ionizing radiation source that substantially continuously emits radiation while its position is varied relative to a photon counting detector. The detector detects photons comprised within the radiation and photon data indicative of the detected photons is generated. The photon data may comprise data related to a detected photon's detection time, detection location on the detector, energy level, and/or trajectory from the radiation source, for example. The photon data of various photons may be compiled into a plurality of bins and, through reconstruction and tomosynthesis techniques, produce synthesized images of various tomography planes of an object under examination. In this way, the tomosynthesis techniques rely on counting photons rather than measuring their energy to create synthesized images.