Abstract: A method for measuring an alignment of a detector is described. The method includes determining, by a processor, the alignment of the detector with respect to a collimated radiation beam. The determination of the alignment is based on a plurality of signals from a first cell of the detector and a second cell of the detector, and is independent of a shape of the collimated radiation beam.

Abstract: A method for determining a correction for beam hardening in CT images includes obtaining air scans at a plurality of kVp's, determining detection efficiencies for detector elements of the CT imaging apparatus, and estimating projection values through a combination of at least two different materials of different thicknesses. The method further includes determining a transfer function that translates the estimated projection values into ideal projection values for at least two of the different materials and storing the transfer function as the beam hardening correction for images of the CT imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method for adjusting noise in an imaging system is described. The method includes adjusting, by a processor, a noise within an image based on a patient size.

Abstract: A computer readable medium is embedded with a program configured to receive or generate a PAI, and/or use the PAI in a diagnostic application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reconstructing a simulated image of an object that includes a predetermined amount of noise are provided. A method includes receiving a base image, determining an amount of noise in the base image, generating a noise field image based on the determined amount of noise in the base image, combining the noise field image and the base image to generate a simulated image that includes the predetermined amount of noise, and displaying the simulated image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a patient without a BMD reference present to obtain data, and performing a BMD analysis on the obtained data.

Abstract: A method for performing BIS correction includes scanning an object with a computed tomography (CT) system to obtain data, reconstructing an image using the obtained data, and using the image to perform BIS correction.

Abstract: A focal spot sensing device includes: a housing that resists x-ray beams; an opening disposed in a wall of the housing that allows an x-ray beam to enter the housing; and a sensor device disposed in the housing that interprets a position of the x-ray beam for calculating a position of a focal spot. An imaging system includes: an x-ray source that produces an x-ray beam and has a focal spot; a detector array that receives the x-ray beam and includes a focal spot sensing device, the focal spot sensing device includes: a housing that resists x-ray beams; an opening disposed in a wall of the housing that allows the x-ray beam to enter the housing; and a sensor device disposed in the housing that interprets a position of the x-ray beam for calculating a position of the focal spot. A method for sensing a focal spot, the method includes: receiving an x-ray beam into an opening of a focal spot sensing device; interpreting a position of the x-ray beam; and calculating or measuring a position of a focal spot.

Abstract: Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which non-destructive imaging is achieved, with equivalent or increased contrast, in comparison to conventional approaches, and that facilitate reduced dosage of X-rays delivered to the object or patient being imaged.

Abstract: A method for determining tracking control parameters for positioning an x-ray beam of a computed tomography imaging system, the imaging system including a movable collimator positionable in steps and a detector array including a plurality of detector elements arranged in rows and channels, the rows extending from a detector A-side to a detector B-side. The method includes determining a detector A-side and a detector B-side target beam penumbra position, computing a plurality of Z-ratio curves corresponding to different detector rows and detector channels, and comparing the Z-ratio curves at the detector A-side and detector B-side target beam positions to determine the optimal Z-ratio curve and corresponding detector channels and rows for controlling the X-ray beam positioning.

Abstract: An imaging system including is described. The imaging system includes a radiation source configured to generate a beam, a collimator configured to collimate the beam to generate a collimated beam, and a detector configured to detect the collimated beam. The collimator is one of a first collimator with a curved contour proportional to a contour of the detector, a second collimator with blades, where slopes of two oppositely-facing surfaces of at least one of the blades are different from each other, and a third collimator having at least two sets of plates, where the plates in a set pivot with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method for determining tracking control parameters for positioning an x-ray beam of a computed tomography imaging system, the imaging system including a movable collimator positionable in steps and a detector array including a plurality of detector elements arranged in rows and channels, the rows extending from a detector A-side to a detector B-side. The method includes determining a detector A-side and a detector B-side target beam penumbra position, computing a plurality of Z-ratio curves corresponding to different detector rows and detector channels, and comparing the Z-ratio curves at the detector A-side and detector B-side target beam positions to determine the optimal Z-ratio curve and corresponding detector channels and rows for controlling the X-ray beam positioning.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for controlling x-ray exposure during a scan with a computed tomography system are provided. The system includes an x-ray source, a collimator, and a detector array. The collimator includes a first cam configured to shutter an x-ray fan beam, generated by the x-ray source, in a first direction, a second cam located on an opposite side of a focal point of the x-ray source from the first cam, the second cam configured to shutter the x-ray fan beam in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, and a cam drive configured to position at least one of the first cam and the second cam during the scan.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aligning an x-ray source position in an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a multislice detector array having a plurality of rows of detector cells displaced along a z-axis and an x-ray source for radiating an x-ray beam toward the detector array. The system is configured to determine an x-ray beam z-axis profile using the detector array, and determine an adjustment to the position of the x-ray source based on the determined x-ray beam z-axis profile.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a computed tomographic imaging apparatus having a gantry, a radiation source operable at a plurality of kVp's, and a detector array having a plurality of detector elements includes using a system detection function to estimate signals of each detector element that would have been detected through air and through a given thickness of water to determine estimated datasets. The estimated datasets are used to determine data pair sets each comprising a normalized water projection value and an ideal projection value for each detector element. The method further includes determining and storing a representation of a mapping function of the normalized water projections values to the ideal projection values in a memory of the computed tomographic imaging apparatus as a spectral calibration of the computed tomographic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A computed tomography assembly is providing including an x-ray gantry assembly, an x-ray source projecting a beam of x-rays, a detector assembly positioned opposite the x-ray source and receiving the beam of x-rays, and a control mechanism in communication with the x-ray source and the detector assembly. The control mechanism includes logic adapted to: execute at least one scout scan of the object to produce a first scout scan image; generate an elliptical patient model based on the first scout scan image; match the elliptical patient model to a phantom diameter approximation; generate a dose report based on the phantom diameter approximation; and display said dose report on a display in communication with the control mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing images of an object. The method includes dynamically helically scanning an object on a moving table utilizing a scanning imaging system. During the scan, projection views of the object are acquired and stored together with corresponding table locations. A plane for reconstruction of an image of the object is selected. The stored table locations are used to determine geometric variables applicable to the stored projection views; and the stored projection views are filtered and backprojected utilizing the geometrical variables to reconstruct an image of the object at the reconstruction plane.

Abstract: A method of at least partially compensating for an x-ray tube target angle heel effect includes positioning a filter having an anode side and a cathode side between an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, wherein the cathode side has a higher attenuation coefficient than the anode side, to at least partially compensate for the target angle heel effect.

Abstract: A method for generating a simulated patient image is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes obtaining image data from an actual patient image and generating simulated noise data. The image data is then combined with the simulated noise data to create the simulated patient image. In one aspect, scan data from the actual patient image is combined with the generated simulated noise data to create pre-image data, and the pre-image data is then reconstructed to create simulated image data. In another aspect, a set of individual noise pattern images for each a plurality of phantom objects is created. At least one of the individual noise pattern images is selected for combination with the actual patient image. The at least one selected individual noise pattern image is then combined with the actual patient image, thereby creating the simulated patient image.