Abstract: The present invention refers to providing a system that allows to very accurately determine the state of a disease, like COPD, in a patient. The system (100) comprises a unit (101) for providing images of the region of interest corresponding to different states of the region of interest, a unit (102) for elastically registering the images to each other resulting in an elastic registration output, a unit (103) for determining a specific tissue region in an image, a unit (104) for determining a specific elastic registration output for the specific tissue region based on the determined elastic registration output, and a unit (105) for determining an elastic indicator for the specific tissue type based on the specific elastic registration output. Thus, a state of a disease that influences the elastic properties of the specific tissue type can be determined very accurately.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for reconstructing an image of an object. The system (100) comprises means (110) providing projection data acquired by an imaging unit, like a CT system, with an FOV, means (120) generating estimated image data indicative of a part of an object (20) located outside the FOV (210), means (130) estimating virtual projection data based on virtual settings of a virtual imaging unit comprising a virtual FOV, means (140) generating fused projection data by fusing the provided projection data with the virtual projection data, and means (150) reconstructing a final image. This allows basing the reconstruction on a complete set of projection information for the object and thus providing an image with a high image quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calculation device (10) for comparing dark-field X-ray images. The calculation device in (10) is configured for receiving a first dark-field X-ray image (11) describing first dark-field X-ray signals of a patient at an expiration state and for receiving a second dark-field X-ray image (12) describing second dark-field X-ray signals of the patient at an inspiration state. The calculation device is further (10) configured for normalizing the first dark-field X-ray signals of the first dark-field X-ray tin image (11) with a lung thickness value describing the lung thickness at the expiration state and for normalizing the second dark-field X-ray signals of the second dark-field X-ray image (12) with a lung thickness value describing the lung thickness at the inspiration state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acquiring reference scan data for X-ray phase-contrast imaging and/or X-ray dark-field imaging. Therefore an X-ray detector (26) is arranged opposite an X-ray source (12) across an examination region (30) with a grating arrangement (18) arranged between the X-ray source (12) and the X-ray detector (26). During an imaging operation without an object in the examination region (30) the grating arrangement (18) is moved in a scanning motion to a number of different positions (a) relative to the X-ray detector (26) whilst the X-ray detector (26) remains stationary relative to the examination region (30) such that in the scanning motion a series of fringe patterns is detected by the X-ray detector (26). The scanning motion is repeated for a different series of fringe patterns. This allows acquiring reference scan data required for calibration of an X-ray imaging device (10??) with less scanning motions.

Abstract: In a method and system for reconstructing computed tomography image data in which CT image data is de-noised. Then simulated noise is added, followed by another de-noising step to estimate the bias. Then, the estimated bias information is used to correct the original de-noised image data to arrive at second pass image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active marker device (100) for being introduced into a human tissue and for tracking a region of interest of a human body. The active marker device comprises a light source (101) for emitting light such that the emitted light can be detected by an optical sensor. In this way, the active marker device and/or the region of interest can be tracked by a tracking system comprising the optical sensor. The active marker device (100) further comprises a switch (102) for turning the light source on and off and for operating the light source in a pulsed mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for alveoli based visualization in dark-field or phase-contrast X-ray imaging. It is described to provide (210) a dark-field or phase-contrast X-ray image of a region of interest of an object, wherein image data are represented in units of a dark-field or a phase-contrast signal. A calibration is provided (220) relating dark-field or phase-contrast signal to an alveoli index in a lung. The calibration is utilized (230) to convert the dark-field or phase-contrast X-ray image of the region of interest of the object into an alveoli based image of the region of interest of the object, wherein the image data are represented in units of the alveoli index. The alveoli based image is outputted (240).

Abstract: An exemplary mounting structure can be provided for interferometric imaging and an interferometric imaging apparatus comprising same. The mounting structure comprises at least one curved surface for receiving an interferometric grating to rest thereon. The surface can be provided having a plurality of apertures, whereas that the grating when so received, covers at least one of the apertures.

Abstract: Creation and use of a digital twin instance (DTI) for a physical instance of the part. The DTI may be created by a model inversion process such that model parameters are iterated until a convergence criterion related to a physical resonance inspection result and a digital resonance inspection result is satisfied. The DTI may then be used in relation to part evaluation including through simulated use of the part. The physical instance of the part may be evaluated by way of the DTI or the DTI may be used to generate maintenance schedules specific to the physical instance of the part.

Abstract: Compositions for reducing/eliminating aerosolization during dental/surgical irrigation procedures are set forth. One or more of the compositions herein can be provided in substantially similar concentrations to reduce/eliminate aerosolization.

Abstract: A component (XS) for an X-ray detector device (XD), comprising a layer (SL) tessellated in a plurality of different regions (Rj), the regions having respective periodic structures at a respective phase, wherein two neighboring regions have periodic structures at different phases.

Abstract: The invention is related to processing x-ray imaging data, specifically phase contrast x-ray imaging data, and addresses the problems associated, for example, with vibrations in grating-based differential phase contrast imaging by making use of spectral information. It was realized that one may make use of the spectral information in determining the vibration state of the Moiré pattern based on multi-energy-bin x-ray detectors, the energy independence of vibration-induced Moiré pattern phase shifts, the energy dependence of object-induced Moiré pattern phase shifts and a phantom designed to allow for measuring the dependence of the object-induced phase shift as a function of the energy bin. In particular, it was found that by suitable data processing the vibration-induced shifts and the like can be disentangled from the object properties and hence vibration artifacts in the image are reduced, while there is no particular need for changing the basic physical structure of the imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for generating X-ray imaging data. It is described to position (210) a first grating between an X-ray source and a second grating. The second grating is positioned (220) between the first grating and a third grating. A third grating is positioned (230) between the second grating and an X-ray detector. An object is positioned (240) between the first grating and the third grating. At least one of the three gratings has a pitch attribute of having a constant grating pitch. At least one of the three gratings has a pitch attribute of having a varying grating pitch. Both gratings of an adjacent pair of gratings are bent such that a distance between the two adjacent gratings is constant as a function of fan angle. Both gratings of the adjacent pair of gratings that are bent have the same pitch attribute. An X-ray detector detects (250) at least some of the X-rays transmitted by the three gratings and the object.

Abstract: An active marker device (100) is introducible into a human tissue and for tracking a region of interest of a human body. The active marker device includes a light source (101) for emitting light such that the emitted light can be detected by an optical sensor. In this way, the active marker device and/or the region of interest can be tracked by a tracking system including the optical sensor. The active marker device (100) also includes a switch (102) for turning the light source on and off and for operating the light source in a pulsed mode.

Abstract: An imaging system includes radiation source that emits radiation that traverses an examination region and a portion of a subject therein and a detector array that detects radiation that traverses the examination region and the portion of the subject therein and generates a signal indicative thereof. A volume scan parameter recommender recommends at least one spectral scan parameter value for a volume scan of the portion of the subject based on a spectral decomposition of first and second 2D projections acquired by the radiation source and detector array. The first and second 2D projections have different spectral characteristics. A console employs the recommended at least one spectral scan parameter value to perform the volume scan of the portion of the subject.

Abstract: A method of a virtual X-ray colonoscopy includes scanning (204) a dark-field contrast (144) insufflated colon lumen (140) with an X-ray scanner (110) configured for dark-field-contrast, which generates dark-field-contrasted projection data and attenuation projection data. The dark-field-contrasted projection data and the attenuation projection data are reconstructed (206) into one or more dark-field-contrasted images (148).

Abstract: The invention relates to beam hardening correction in X-ray Dark-Field imaging of a subject including a first material and a second material, the first and second material having different beam hardening properties. As the X-ray imaging data includes information on the internal structure of the imaged subject, such information may be used, together with appropriate calibration data to identify the beam hardening contributions occurring in the imaged area of the subject, so to allow for a correction of artifacts due to beam hardening in X-ray Dark-Field imaging.

Abstract: A reconstruction system includes a decomposer (204) configured to decompose at least two sets of projection data generated via kVp switching between at least two radiation source voltages. Each set corresponds to a different one of the at least two radiation source voltages. The system further includes a spectral channel (206) configured to process the at least two sets of projection data and generate spectral image data. The system further includes a non-spectral channel (208) configured to process the at least two sets of projection data and generate non-spectral image data for a predetermined reference kVp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grating for X-ray phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging. It is described to form a photo-resist layer on a surface of a substrate. The photo-resist layer is illuminated with radiation using a mask representing a desired grating structure. The photo-resist layer is etched to remove parts of the photo-resist layer, to leave a plurality of trenches that are laterally spaced from one across the surface of the substrate. A plurality of material layers are formed on the surface of the substrate. Each layer is formed in a trench. A material layer comprises a plurality of materials, wherein the plurality of materials are formed one on top of the other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The plurality of materials comprises at least one material that has a k-edge absorption energy that is higher than the k-edge absorption energy of Gold and the plurality of materials comprises Gold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subject support device (1) to be used in a projection data acquisition apparatus (2) for acquiring projection data of a subject (3). The subject support device comprises a support component (4) providing a support surface (5) for supporting the subject while acquiring the projection data, a diffraction grating (6) for diffracting x-rays, and a moving unit (7, 8) for moving the support component and the diffraction grating relative to each other. This relative movement can allow for a movement of the support component such that the subject is moved through x-rays (16) for determining projection data of different parts of the subject, while the diffraction grating can still be traversed by the x-rays. These projection data can be used for generating a relatively large phase-contrast and/or dark-field projection image.