Abstract: A method includes displaying at least one of projection data or reconstructed image data having visually observable artifacts, wherein the at least one of the projection data or the reconstructed image data corresponds to an imaging examination of an object or subject and displaying, concurrently with the at least one of the projection data or the reconstructed image data, sample images with known artifacts. The method further includes identifying one or more of the sample images having artifacts similar to the visually observable artifacts in the at least one of the projection data or the reconstructed image data. The method further includes displaying information about the identified one or more of the sample images, wherein the information includes information related to mitigating the visually observable artifacts.

Abstract: A photon detector includes a sensor array of optical sensors disposed in a plane and four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars. Each optical sensor is configured to sense luminescence. Each of the four scintillator crystal bars being a rectangular prism with four side surfaces and first and second end surfaces, each scintillation bar has two side surfaces which each face a side surface of another scintillation bar, and each scintillation crystal bar generating a light scintillation in response to interacting with a received gamma photon. A first layer (80) is disposed in a first plane disposed between and adjacent facing side surfaces of the four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars with a light sharing portion (82) adjacent the first end surface and a reflective portion (84) adjacent the second end surface.

Abstract: A photon detector includes a sensor array of optical sensors disposed in a plane and four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars. Each optical sensor is configured to sense luminescence. Each of the four scintillator crystal bars being a rectangular prism with four side surfaces and first and second end surfaces, each scintillation bar has two side surfaces which each face a side surface of another scintillation bar, and each scintillation crystal bar generating a light scintillation in response to interacting with a received gamma photon. A first layer (80) is disposed in a first plane disposed between and adjacent facing side surfaces of the four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars with a light sharing portion (82) adjacent the first end surface and a reflective portion (84) adjacent the second end surface.

Abstract: A hybrid imaging system including a first imaging system configured to acquire low resolution anatomical data of a first field of view of an anatomical structure. A second imaging system is configured to acquire functional data of the first field of view of the anatomical structure. A reconstruction processor is configured to reconstruct the functional data based on attenuation data into an attenuation corrected image. In response to the attenuation corrected image showing regions of interest, with the first imaging system or another imaging system acquiring high resolution data of one or more portions of the first field of view containing the regions of interest. The reconstruction processor reconstructs the high resolution anatomical data into one or more high resolution images of the regions of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of image reconstruction attenuation correction in PET or SPECT cardiac imaging is provided. A volumetric attenuation imaging scan by an X-ray source may be used to generate a gamma ray attenuation map. The volumetric attenuation imaging scan may be randomized, and may be performed while the imaged subject is breathing.

Abstract: In Positron Emission Tomography, a time window (260) and an energy window (225) are dynamically adjusted, based on an attenuation map, count rate, clinical application, discrimination tailoring, and/or offline discrimination tailoring. Detected radiation events are filtered using the dynamically adjusted energy and time windows into scattered events, random events, and true events. The true events are input to image reconstruction, correction, and error analysis.

Abstract: A method comprises: acquiring imaging data using a tomographic radiological imaging apparatus (10); updating a calibration (42, 52) based on current information about the imaging apparatus; calibrating the imaging data using the up-to-date calibration; and reconstructing the calibrated imaging data to generate an image. The updating may be based on a current state of an idle or parked imaging modality that is not used in acquiring the imaging data, or on a measurement acquired together with the imaging data, or on the imaging data itself. For cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging data, the updating may comprise determining an intensity scale based upon intensity of at least one air pixel measured during the acquiring of the CBCT imaging data and updating an air scan template (60) by the intensity scale.

Abstract: When correcting for artifacts on an attenuation map caused by an artifact source in a computed tomography image, nuclear images are reconstructed two or more times, each time using a different correction technique or uncorrected attenuation data. Corresponding voxels in the reconstructed images are compared to identify local areas that change, i.e., are fragile and therefore low-confidence, and areas that do not vary or exhibit little variance among the plurality of reconstructed images and are thus accorded a higher confidence. The reconstructed nuclear image is overlaid with color encoding indicative of the amount of confidence accorded to each voxel value obtained by attenuation-corrected tomographic reconstruction.

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 method of aligning multiple volumetric sections of imaging data is provided. The method comprises aligning a primary volumetric section and a secondary volumetric section which is adjacent to the primary volumetric imaging section, for moving the secondary volumetric section into alignment with the primary volumetric section. A related apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: In Positron Emission Tomography, a time window (260) and an energy window (225) are dynamically adjusted, based on an attenuation map, count rate, clinical application, discrimination tailoring, and/or offline discrimination tailoring. Detected radiation events are filtered using the dynamically adjusted energy and time windows into scattered events, random events, and true events. The true events are input to image reconstruction, correction, and error analysis.

Abstract: A hybrid imaging system including a first imaging system configured to acquire low resolution anatomical data of a first field of view of an anatomical structure. A second imaging system is configured to acquire functional data of the first field of view of the anatomical structure. A reconstruction processor is configured to reconstruct the functional data based on attenuation data into an attenuation corrected image. In response to the attenuation corrected image showing regions of interest, with the first imaging system or another imaging system acquiring high resolution data of one or more portions of the first field of view containing the regions of interest. The reconstruction processor reconstructs the high resolution anatomical data into one or more high resolution images of the regions of interest.

Abstract: A method comprises: acquiring imaging data using a tomographic radiological imaging apparatus (10); updating a calibration (42, 52) based on current information about the imaging apparatus; calibrating the imaging data using the up-to-date calibration; and reconstructing the calibrated imaging data to generate an image. The updating may be based on a current state of an idle or parked imaging modality that is not used in acquiring the imaging data, or on a measurement acquired together with the imaging data, or on the imaging data itself. For cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging data, the updating may comprise determining an intensity scale based upon intensity of at least one air pixel measured during the acquiring of the CBCT imaging data and updating an air scan template (60) by the intensity scale.

Abstract: When correcting for artifacts on an attenuation map caused by an artifact source in a computed tomography image, nuclear images are reconstructed two or more times, each time using a different correction technique or uncorrected attenuation data. Corresponding voxels in the reconstructed images are compared to identify local areas that change, i.e., are fragile and therefore low-confidence, and areas that do not vary or exhibit little variance among the plurality of reconstructed images and are thus accorded a higher confidence. The reconstructed nuclear image is overlaid with color encoding indicative of the amount of confidence accorded to each voxel value obtained by attenuation-corrected tomographic reconstruction.

Abstract: A method includes displaying at least one of projection data or reconstructed image data having visually observable artifacts, wherein the at least one of the projection data or the reconstructed image data corresponds to an imaging examination of an object or subject and displaying, concurrently with the at least one of the projection data or the reconstructed image data, sample images with known artifacts. The method further includes identifying one or more of the sample images having artifacts similar to the visually observable artifacts in the at least one of the projection data or the reconstructed image data. The method further includes displaying information about the identified one or more of the sample images, wherein the information includes information related to mitigating the visually observable artifacts.

Abstract: When generating a 3D image of a subject or patient, a cone beam X-ray source (20a, 20b) is mounted to a rotatable gantry (14) opposite an offset flat panel X-ray detector (22a, 22b). A wedge-shaped attenuation filter (24a, 24b) of suitable material (e.g., aluminum or the like) is adjustably positioned in the cone beam to selectively attenuate the beam as a function of the shape, size, and density of a volume of interest (18) through which X-rays pass in order to maintain X-ray intensity or gain at a relatively constant level within a range of acceptable levels.

Abstract: A method of aligning multiple volumetric sections of imaging data is provided. The method comprises aligning a primary volumetric section and a secondary volumetric section which is adjacent to the primary volumetric imaging section, for moving the secondary volumetric section into alignment with the primary volumetric section. A related apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

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 100 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 method and apparatus of image reconstruction attenuation correction in PET or SPECT cardiac imaging is provided. A volumetric attenuation imaging scan by an X-ray source may be used to generate a gamma ray attenuation map. The volumetric attenuation imaging scan may be randomized, and may be performed while the imaged subject is breathing.

Abstract: When generating a 3D image of a subject or patient, a cone beam X-ray source (20a, 20b) is mounted to a rotatable gantry (14) opposite an offset flat panel X-ray detector (22a, 22b). A wedge-shaped attenuation filter (24a, 24b) of suitable material (e.g., aluminum or the like) is adjustably positioned in the cone beam to selectively attenuate the beam as a function of the shape, size, and density of a volume of interest (18) through which X-rays pass in order to maintain X-ray intensity or gain at a relatively constant level within a range of acceptable levels.