Abstract: An imaging system (IS) including device (G, IFD) for phase contrast and/or dark field imaging such as a grating (G). The device has a periodic structure with a spatial period p. The imaging system (IS) further includes a phase stepping mechanism (PSM) configured to facilitate a relative phase stepping motion between the device (G, IFD) and a focal spot (FS) of an X-ray source (XS) of the imaging system (IS). The relative phase stepping motion covers a distance greater than the said spatial period to reduce artifacts in dark-field or phase contrast imagery caused by defects in the grating.

Abstract: A system (IPS) and related method for image processing, in particular dark-field or phase contrast imaging to reduce motion artifacts. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving a series of projection images (?) acquired by an X-ray imaging apparatus (XI) of an object (OB) for a given projection direction, the imaging apparatus (XI) configured for phase-contrast and/or dark-field imaging A phase-contrast and/or dark-field image generator (IGEN) applies an image generation algorithm to compute a first image based on the series the projection images (?). A motion artifact detector (MD) detects a motion artifact in the first image. A combiner (?) combines, if a motion artifact is so detected, a part of the first image with a part of at least one auxiliary image to obtain a combined image. The auxiliary image was previously computed by a gated application of the image generation algorithm in respect of a subset of the series of the projection images (?).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for X-ray imaging an object. It is described to provide (20) data relating to the detection of X-rays, wherein an X-ray detector is configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray source such that at least a part of a region between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is an examination region for accommodating an object. An X-ray interferometer arrangement is configured to be positioned relative to the examination region. At least one X-ray dark field factor and at least one transmission factor are determined for the X-ray radiation transmitted through at least part of the object is determined. An intensity of X-ray radiation to be emitted towards the at least part of the object is controlled as a function of the determined at least one dark field factor and the determined at least one transmission factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compression of breasts during mammography, and in particular to a compression element for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations. In order to ensure an increased user comfort and an improved application of pressure force, a compression element (10) for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations is provided, comprising a supporting structure (12), a first surface (14), and a second surface (16). The supporting structure is configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination. The first and second surfaces are attached to the support structure; and the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions. The second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination. The first surface is provided to be visible to a user, wherein the first surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface (18).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for X-ray imaging an object. It is described to provide (20) data relating to the detection of X-rays, wherein an X-ray detector is configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray source such that at least a part of a region between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is an examination region for accommodating an object. An X-ray interferometer arrangement is configured to be positioned relative to the examination region. At least one X-ray dark field factor and at least one transmission factor are determined for the X-ray radiation transmitted through at least part of the object is determined. An intensity of X-ray radiation to be emitted towards the at least part of the object is controlled as a function of the determined at least one dark field factor and the determined at least one transmission factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compression of breasts during mammography, and in particular to a compression element for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations. In order to ensure an increased user comfort and an improved application of pressure force, a compression element (10) for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations is provided, comprising a supporting structure (12), a first surface (14), and a second surface (16). The supporting structure is configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination. The first and second surfaces are attached to the support structure; and the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions. The second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination. The first surface is provided to be visible to a user, wherein the first surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method in which an original image is first decomposed into a series of detail images, with each of which there is associated a respective spatial frequency range, low contrasts being enhanced before assembly of a final image from the images which are produced by the decomposition and are subsequently modified. The modification of the detail images is performed in dependence on the relevant image value as well as in dependence on the mean image value and/or the variation of the image values in a window around the relevant pixel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of displaying a spatial distribution of notably an X-ray image whose pixels are associated with digital input image values, a filtering operation being performed on the input image values so as to obtain either low-pass or high-pass image values which are superposed on the input image values, and also relates to a device for carrying out the method. The invention enables the user to preset the contrast and the density of the visible image in conformity with his requirements and independently from one another.