Abstract: An imaging system (10) includes at least one radiation detector (20) disposed adjacent a subject receiving aperture (18) to detect and measure at least one of emission and transmission radiation from a subject, the detector (20) at a plurality of projection angles. A processor (64) determines which radiation data belong to a field of view of the radiation detector (20) at each projection angle. An image processor (70, 72) iteratively reconstructs the radiation detected only in the determined field of view into image representations. Truncated data is compensated by supplying the untruncated data from the projections taken at different angles at which the truncated data is untruncated.

Abstract: A computed tomography acquisition geometry provides an increased field of view (218). A radiation source (202, 702) such as an x-ray source and a radiation detector (204, 704) are displaced from the imaging center (214). In one implementation, the central ray (216) of a radiation beam (212) is parallel to the plane of the detector (204, 704) at the detector midpoint (219, 719), but is displaced from the imaging center.

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: A physiological parameter monitor (44) monitors a cyclic physiological parameter and generates a cyclic parameter phase indicative signal. A radiation system (8) is disposed adjacent an examination region (18, 28) to generate transmission radiation data and emission radiation data. First and second sorting devices (48, 74) sort corresponding transmission and emission radiation data into transmission radiation data sets (50) and emission radiation data sets (78) corresponding to each of a plurality of the cyclic parameter phases. A data processor (60) reconstructs attenuation maps (62) from the transmission data for each of the plurality of cyclic parameter phases. An image processor (80) corrects the emission radiation data of each cyclic parameter phase with the attenuation map (62) of the same cyclic parameter phase and reconstructs the attenuation corrected emission data sets into an image representation for each cyclic parameter phase.

Abstract: In an imaging method, estimated data is iteratively projected and backprojected. The iterative projecting and backprojecting includes projecting or backprojecting the estimated data along parallel paths each employing energy-dependent parameters appropriate for a different energy. During each iteration, the estimated data is adjusted based on comparison of the estimated data with measured data.

Abstract: A medical imaging system (10) includes at least one radiation detection head (16) disposed adjacent a subject receiving aperture (18) to detect radiation from a subject. The detected radiation is reconstructed into at least one initial 2D projection image (?). Resolution in each initial 2D image (?) is restored by using the extended iterative constrained deconvolution algorithm by incorporating different estimates of the system response function which estimates correspond to different distances between the detection head and the origins of the detected radiation. Measured response functions are used to restore a series of images. The optimal image is determined by automatic searching with the figure of merit, by user's observation, or by using blind deconvolution for a concurrent estimating of the system response function and updating the original image.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a combined data set that includes first and second imaging data sets. The first and second imaging data sets correspond to different imaging modalities. The method further includes determining a metric indicative of an alignment between the first and second imaging data sets in the combined data set. The method further includes presenting the metric in a human readable format.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a view transformation component (210) and a segment combiner (212). The transformation component (210) transforms projection data in each view of a plurality of individual segments, which each includes at least one view. The transformed projection data for substantially similar views across the plurality of individual segments have a common radius of rotation. The segment combiner (212) combines the transformed projection data to produce a single data set that includes the transformed projection data for each of the views of each of the plurality of individual segments.

Abstract: A computed tomography acquisition geometry provides an increased field of view (218). A radiation source (202, 702) such as an x-ray source and a radiation detector (204, 704) are displaced from the imaging center (214). In one implementation, the central ray (216) of a radiation beam (212) is parallel to the plane of the detector (204, 704) at the detector midpoint (219, 719), but is displaced from the imaging center.

Abstract: A nuclear imaging system (110) includes a radiation detector (112) having a distance dependent spatial resolution. A reconstructor (124) reconstructs projections acquired by the detector to generate image data. The reconstructor (124) applies a distance dependent projection filter (134) so as to reduce angular dependent resolution variations in the image space data.

Abstract: A radiation detector package includes a radiation-sensitive solid-state element (10) having a first electrode (12) and a pixelated second electrode (14) disposed on opposite principal surfaces of the solid-state element. An electronics board (20) receives an electrical signal from the solid-state element responsive to radiation incident upon the radiation-sensitive solid-state element. A light-tight shield (40, 40?) shields at least the radiation-sensitive solid-state element from light exposure and compresses an insulating elastomer and metal element connector (30, 32) between the pixilated electrode (14) and contact pads (24) on the electronics board.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) includes at least one radiation detector (20) disposed adjacent a subject receiving aperture (18) to detect and measure at least one of emission and transmission radiation from a subject, the detector (20) at a plurality of projection angles. A processor (64) determines which radiation data belong to a field of view of the radiation detector (20) at each projection angle. An image processor (70, 72) iteratively reconstructs the radiation detected only in the determined field of view into image representations. Truncated data is compensated by supplying the untruncated data from the projections taken at different angles at which the truncated data is untruncated.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) comprises at least one radiation detector (20) disposed adjacent a subject receiving aperture (18) to detect radiation from a subject, receive the radiation and generate measured data. An image processor (38) iteratively reconstructs the detected radiation into image representations, in each reconstruction iteration the image processor (38) applies noise reduction algorithms to at least a difference between the measured data and a portion of a previous iteration image representation.

Abstract: A physiological parameter monitor (44) monitors a cyclic physiological parameter and generates a cyclic parameter phase indicative signal. A radiation system (8) is disposed adjacent an examination region (18, 28) to generate transmission radiation data and emission radiation data. First and second sorting devices (48, 74) sort corresponding transmission and emission radiation data into transmission radiation data sets (50) and emission radiation data sets (78) corresponding to each of a plurality of the cyclic parameter phases. A data processor (60) reconstructs attenuation maps (62) from the transmission data for each of the plurality of cyclic parameter phases. An image processor (80) corrects the emission radiation data of each cyclic parameter phase with the attenuation map (62) of the same cyclic parameter phase and reconstructs the attenuation corrected emission data sets into an image representation for each cyclic parameter phase.

Abstract: A medical imaging system (10) includes at least one radiation detection head (16) disposed adjacent a subject receiving aperture (18) to detect radiation from a subject. The detected radiation is reconstructed into at least one initial 2D projection image (?). Resolution in each initial 2D image (?) is restored by using the extended iterative constrained deconvolution algorithm by incorporating different estimates of the system response function which estimates correspond to different distances between the detection head and the origins of the detected radiation. Measured response functions are used to restore a series of images. The optimal image is determined by automatic searching with the figure of merit, by user's observation, or by using blind deconvolution for a concurrent estimating of the system response function and updating the original image.

Abstract: In an imaging method, estimated data is iteratively projected and backprojected. The iterative projecting and backprojecting includes projecting or backprojecting the estimated data along parallel paths each employing energy-dependent parameters appropriate for a different energy. During each iteration, the estimated data is adjusted based on comparison of the estimated data with measured data.

Abstract: A radiation detector package includes a radiation-sensitive solid-state element (10) having a first electrode (12) and a pixelated second electrode (14) disposed on opposite principal surfaces of the solid-state element. An electronics board (20) receives an electrical signal from the solid-state element responsive to radiation incident upon the radiation-sensitive solid-state element. A light-tight shield (40, 40?) shields at least the radiation-sensitive solid-state element from light exposure and compresses an insulating elastomer and metal element connector (30, 32) between the pixilated electrode (14) and contact pads (24) on the electronics board.

Abstract: A system calibrates a solid state detector (20) for a radiation imaging device (10) in a single acquisition. A calibration phantom (40) emits radiation concurrently at at least first and second characteristic energy levels. A nuclear camera (16) generates associated sets of radiation data spanning both the first and second energy levels from the emitted radiation that is received by solid state detector (20). A means (64) determines associated centers of energy peaks and energy values of the generated data sets. A calibration means (80) calibrates at least one of gain, offset, performance and dead pixel correction based on the determined centers and peaks of the acquired data sets.

Abstract: A method for non-rigid registration and fusion of images with physiological modeled organ motions resulting from respiratory motion and cardiac motion that are mathematically modeled with physiological constraints. A method of combining images comprises the steps of obtaining a first image dataset (24) of a region of interest of a subject and obtaining a second image dataset (34) of the region of interest of the subject. Next, a general model of physiological motion for the region of interest is provided (142). The general model of physiological motion is adapted with data derived from the first image data set (140) to provide a subject specific physiological model (154). The subject specific physiological model is applied (172) to the second image dataset (150) to provide a combined image (122).

Abstract: A method for non-rigid registration and fusion of images with physiological modeled organ motions resulting from respiratory motion and cardiac motion that are mathematically modeled with physiological constraints. A method of combining images comprises the steps of obtaining a first image dataset (24) of a region of interest of a subject and obtaining a second image dataset (34) of the region of interest of the subject. Next, a general model of physiological motion for the region of interest is provided (142). The general model of physiological motion is adapted with data derived from the first image data set (140) to provide a subject specific physiological model (154). The subject specific physiological model is applied (172) to the second image dataset (150) to provide a combined image (122).