Abstract: A method and system are provided for iteratively processing an image estimate. In one embodiment, the image estimate is updated with an update image each iteration of processing. In this embodiment, the update image for each iteration is derived based at least in part on a scale image derived from a mask image. The mask image defines a subset of pixels participating in the reconstruction based on an imaged object. The scale image is updated based on a numerator term and a denominator term. The denominator term is based on the mask image. Computer routines for processing image data for processing image data in accordance with these techniques are also provided.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for detecting contraband by obtaining image data from a computed tomography machine and generating variance data and a variance map from the image data acquired. The method includes obtaining a mean density value and a variation value for each voxel of the image data, segmenting the voxels into discrete objects, and determining whether any of the discrete objects is contraband.

Abstract: A method for generating a multi-spectral image of an object is provided. The method comprises acquiring measurement data at a plurality of X-ray energy levels and defining a plurality of image voxels in one or more regions comprising the object. The method then comprises obtaining prior information associated with a plurality of image voxels comprising the object. The prior information is defined by a joint probability density function (PDF) between a plurality of basis components. The method further comprises reconstructing the measurement data to generate a multi-spectral reconstructed image of the object based on the prior information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring and reconstructing projection data that is mathematically complete or sufficient using a computed tomography (CT) system having stationary distributed X-ray sources and detector arrays. In one embodiment, a distributed source is provided as arcuate segments offset in the X-Y plane and along the Z-axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reconstructing projection data that is mathematically complete or sufficient acquired using a computed tomography (CT) system. In one embodiment, a set of projection data representative of a sampled portion of a cylindrical surface is provided. The set of projection data is reconstructed using a suitable cone-beam reconstruction algorithm. In another embodiment, two or more sets of spatially interleaved helical projection data are processed using helical interpolation. The helically interpolated set of projection data is reconstructed using a two-dimensional axial reconstruction algorithm or a three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring and reconstructing projection data using a computed tomography (CT) system having stationary distributed X-ray sources and detector arrays. In one embodiment, a non-sequential activation of X-ray source locations on an annular source is employed to acquire projection data. In another embodiment, a distributed source is tilted relative to an axis of the scanner to acquire the projection data. In a further embodiment, a plurality of X-ray source locations on an annular source are activated such that the aggregated signals correspond to two or more sets of spatially interleaved helical scan data.

Abstract: Methods are provided for iteratively reconstructing an image signal to generate a reconstructed image signal. In one embodiment, sub-iterations of each iteration are performed on pixel subsets. The pixel subsets may be composed of pixels neighboring or spatially separated pixel. In a further embodiment, each iteration is performed at a different resolution. Systems and computer routines for processing image data iteratively in accordance with these techniques are also provided.

Abstract: An adaptive CT data acquisition system and technique is presented whereby radiation emitted for CT data acquisition is dynamically controlled to limit exposure to those detectors of a CT detector assembly that may be particularly susceptible to saturation during a given data acquisition. The data acquisition technique recognizes that for a given subject size and position that pre-subject filtering and collimating of a radiation beam may be insufficient to completely prevent detector saturation. Therefore, the present invention includes implementation of a number of CT data correction techniques for correcting otherwise unusable data of a saturated CT detector. These data correction techniques include a nearest neighbor correction, off-centered phantom correction, off-centered synthetic data correction, scout data correction, planar radiogram correction, and a number of others.

Abstract: Configurations for stationary imaging systems are provided. The configurations may include combinations of various types of distributed sources of X-ray radiation, which generally include addressable emitter elements which may be triggered for emission in desired sequences and combinations. The sources may be ring-like, partial ring-like, or line-like (typically along a Z-axis), and so forth. Combinations of these are envisaged. Corresponding detectors may also be full ring detectors or partial ring detectors associated with the sources to provide sufficient coverage of imaging volumes and to provide the desired mathematical completeness of the collected data.

Abstract: An adaptive CT data acquisition system and technique is presented whereby radiation emitted for CT data acquisition is dynamically controlled to limit exposure to those detectors of a CT detector assembly that may be particularly susceptible to saturation during a given data acquisition. The data acquisition technique recognizes that for a given subject size and position that pre-subject filtering and collimating of a radiation beam may be insufficient to completely prevent detector saturation. Therefore, the present invention includes implementation of a number of CT data correction techniques for correcting otherwise unusable data of a saturated CT detector. These data correction techniques include a nearest neighbor correction, off-centered phantom correction, off-centered synthetic data correction, scout data correction, planar radiogram correction, and a number of others.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) reconstruction method includes implementing an iterative image reconstruction process for CT metrology of an object, wherein the iterative reconstruction process utilizes accurate forward projection. During each of a plurality of iterations, a reconstructed image is constrained by utilizing prior outer edge information obtained from a modality in addition to CT, and then transformed to a projection domain so as to generate a calculated sinogram. A correction image is determined based on the calculated sinogram and a measured sinogram.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling x-ray exposure during a dynamic pitch helical scan using a translatable table are provided. The system includes a collimator positioned between an x-ray source and an object to be scanned configured to shutter an x-ray fan beam generated by the x-ray source to at least one of translate the x-ray fan beam along a z-axis of the scan and vary the width of the x-ray beam along the z-axis, and a collimator controller configured to dynamically position the collimator using at least one of predetermined trajectory of the translatable table and a current position of the translatable table.

Abstract: A method for Computed Tomography (CT) imaging is provided. The method comprises rotating a gantry at a substantially slow rotation speed about a volume of interest. The gantry comprises a combination of X-ray source points. The X-ray source points comprise one or more discrete emission points and an arc of discrete or continuous X-ray source points. The method then comprises obtaining projection data from the combination of X-ray source points and performing a suitable reconstruction based on the projection data obtained from the combination of X-ray source points, to generate one or more reconstructed images.

Abstract: Methods for three-dimensional projecting and backprojecting rays with respect to voxels/detector bins to attenuate/eliminate high-frequency artifacts, are disclosed. A distance-driven technique wherein the transitions of the voxels and the detector bins are respectively projected onto a predetermined plane. This projection allows a determination of the contribution of each of the voxels/bins for each of the bins/voxels with lower computation time and improved artifact free images.

Abstract: A reprojection/backprojection technique and apparatus for carrying out such a technique provides a hierarchical solution to speeding-up reprojection and backprojection of tomographic images. In the context of reprojection, a tomographic image is divided into a series of subimages. Each subimage is shifted to the origin, projected at a reduced number of views, and then up-sampled and shifted back (in the sinogram space). The resulting sinograms are then combined to provide a single sinogram. This process is applied one or more times recursively. In the context of backprojection, the above steps are transposed such that a sinogram is divided into a series of subsinograms. The subsinograms are then shifted and decimated by a given decimation factor. The decimated subsinograms are then backprojected onto hexagonal tiles whereupon the tiles are composited into a final image.

Abstract: A technique is provided for CT reconstruction for use in CT metrology. The boundary based CT reconstruction method includes the steps of initializing a boundary of an object to obtain a boundary estimate, defining a forward model based on the boundary estimate, linearizing the forward model to obtain a system matrix and implementing an iterative image reconstruction process using the system matrix to update the boundary estimate.

Abstract: A method for computing volumetric perfusion in a spatially stationary organ using a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes positioning an area detector such that the area detector encompasses a spatially stationary organ within the field of view of the imaging system for all view angles, operating the CT imaging system in a cine mode to acquire a plurality of projection data representative of the tissue dynamics in the spatially stationary organ, processing the projection data, temporally filtering respective signals from volume elements of the reconstructions of the projection data which are representative of the tissue dynamics and computing the volumetric perfusion in the organ using the temporally filtered signals from volume elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a geometry of a scanning volumetric computed tomographic (CT) system having a rotation axis, a rotational plane, an x-ray source and a detector. The method includes scanning a phantom having a series of spatially separated discrete markers with the scanning volumetric computed tomographic system, wherein the markers are configured on a supporting structure of the phantom so as to permit separate identification of each marker in a collection of projection images. The method further includes locating images of the markers in each projection, using the located marker images to assign marker locations to tracks, and using the assigned tracks, determining a relative alignment between the detector, the source, and the rotation axis of the scanning volumetric computed tomographic system.

Abstract: A technique is provided for CT reconstruction for use in CT metrology. The boundary based CT reconstruction method includes the steps of initializing a boundary of an object to obtain a boundary estimate, defining a forward model based on the boundary estimate, linearizing the forward model to obtain a system matrix and implementing an iterative image reconstruction process using the system matrix to update the boundary estimate.

Abstract: A method for imaging an object that includes utilizing a computed tomography imaging apparatus having a distributed x-ray source to acquire samples of projection data of an object in angular and temporal space utilizing a predetermined sampling lattice. Acquired projection data is filtered utilizing a two-dimensional linear filter to produce filtered data, and the filtered data is then backprojected to obtain a reconstructed image of the object.