Abstract: An interpolation of data values is performed during the acquisition of a 3D image dataset which is free of traces of a metal object imaged in the underlying 2D image datasets. A target function is defined into which data values of the 3D image dataset that are dependent on said substitute data values are incorporated following preprocessing. The substitute data values are then varied iteratively until the value of the target function satisfies a predetermined criterion. Residual artifacts that still persist following the interpolation can thus be effectively reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray imaging device with which X-ray exposure will not be stopped due to the backup time, causing underexposure, in phototimer imaging, because the body of the subject is thick. A database unit (18) stores a database showing the relationships among a variety of subject (M) body thicknesses (t), X-ray parameters, and imaging times. A search processor (16) searches the aforementioned database for data matching X-ray parameters stored in a parameter storage unit (15) and body thicknesses (t) calculated by a body thickness measurement unit (17), and requests the corresponding imaging time. If the imaging time is longer than the backup time set by an X-ray controller (12), the search processor (16) instructs the X-ray controller (12) to extend the backup time to the imaging time.

Abstract: A radiation image capturing device includes a radiation image capturing unit, a diaphragm unit, and a control unit. The radiation image capturing unit captures a radiation image based on radiation transmitted through a subject. The diaphragm unit has an opening region that is configured to transmit a part of the radiation emitted from a radiation source and an area thereof is changeable, and the diaphragm unit is configured such that a transmission dose of the radiation decreases as a distance from a circumferential part of the opening region increases. The control unit controls the diaphragm unit such that direct rays of the radiation are irradiated onto a predetermined region of the subject.

Abstract: A medical imaging system has a radiation source, a radiation sensor, a data-collection unit, and an imaging system. The radiation source has an opening to direct a collimated radiation beam in a direction towards a patient. The radiation sensor is disposed proximate the opening and within the collimated radiation beam to measure a fluence of the collimated radiation beam. The data-collection unit is disposed to collect radiation from the collimated beam after interaction with the patient. The imaging system is in communication with the data-collection unit and configured to generate an image of a portion of the patient from the collected radiation.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described including implantable radiation sensing devices having exposure determination devices that determines cumulative exposure information based on the at least one in vivo measurand.

Abstract: A method for visualizing a dose of X-ray radiation applied to a surface of a patient in a defined time period by an X-ray apparatus is proposed. The X-ray apparatus is adjustable to different angular positions. A model of the surface of the patient is provided. The dose of X-ray radiation applied to the surface of the patient in the defined time period is calculated. The model and the calculated dose on the model is visualized. The visualization of the model and the calculated dose on the model is effected in an angular position coupled to the angular position in which the X-ray apparatus is currently disposed.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray source for emitting X-rays. A radiation source driver drives the X-ray source. An X-ray imaging apparatus has an FPD device incorporated therein, has pixels arranged for storing signal charge according to X-rays transmitted through an object, for outputting a radiation image of the object by conversion in an electrical signal. An ionization chamber device is discrete from the X-ray imaging apparatus, for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object. An interface port is provided in the radiation source driver, for connection with the ionization chamber device. There is a communication path for connection between the interface port and the X-ray imaging apparatus, and for transmitting a sync signal, namely request signal S1 and enable signal S2, for operating the FPD device in synchronism with a start of emitting the X-rays.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described including implantable radiation sensing devices having exposure determination devices that determines cumulative exposure information based on the at least one in vivo measurand.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the X-ray dosage administered to a patient by a radiation source when using an X-ray device is proposed. The X-ray device is in particular a C-arm X-ray device. A location-dependent dosage value on the surface of the patient is determined with reference to parameters which describe the recording geometry and the radiation that is administered. The surface is described by a patient model in particular. A representation of the dosage value and/or of a value derived therefrom is displayed.

Abstract: An AEC section of an electronic cassette includes a measurement area setting circuit for setting a measurement area in an imaging surface. The measurement area setting circuit is switchable between a specified area mode and an automatic area setting mode. In the specified area mode, a first measurement area is set up in a position predetermined in accordance with a body part to be imaged. In the automatic area setting mode, a second measurement area is set up based on the distribution of an X-ray dose measured by measuring pixels. X-ray emission time is shortened in the specified area mode, because the setting of the first measurement area is quickly performed. The automatic area setting mode eliminates the need for troublesome positioning between a patient and an FPD.

Abstract: It is possible to reliably avoid a problem that radiation irradiation does not stop even when an accumulated radiation dose reaches a target radiation dose. An AEC unit starts monitoring an integrated value of a radiation dose detection signal from a detection pixel and an output of an irradiation continuation signal at the same time, and continuously transmits the irradiation continuation signal in a predetermined period while the integrated value does not reach a threshold value. When the integrated value reaches the threshold value, the output of the irradiation continuation signal is stopped. The irradiation continuation signal is transmitted to an irradiation signal I/F of a radiation source control device through an irradiation signal I/F by wireless. The radiation source control device stops X-ray irradiation by an X-ray source when the irradiation signal I/F does not receive the irradiation continuation signal.

Abstract: This invention is a nuclear radiation-warning detector that measures impedance of silver-silver halide on an interdigitated electrode to detect light or radiation comprised of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, X rays, and/or neutrons. The detector is comprised of an interdigitated electrode covered by a layer of silver halide. After exposure to alpha particles, beta particles, X rays, gamma rays, neutron radiation, or light, the silver halide is reduced to silver in the presence of a reducing solution. The change from the high electrical resistance (impedance) of silver halide to the low resistance of silver provides the radiation warning that detected radiation levels exceed a predetermined radiation dose threshold.

Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing system and radiographic image capturing method, in a case that at least two radiation sources are housed in a radiation output device, weighting of doses of respective radiation emitted from the at least two radiation sources is carried out. Thereafter, respective radiation is applied to a subject from the at least two radiation sources in accordance with the weighting. Then, the radiation detecting device detects the respective radiation that has passed through the subject and converts the detected radiation into a radiographic image.

Abstract: Besides normal pixels, a plurality detection pixels are arranged in an imaging surface of an FPD. In preliminary imaging, X-rays are emitted to an imaged body portion of a patient. The detection pixels receive the X-rays passed through the body portion, and output AEC detection signals. If an integral value of the AEC detection signals has reached a threshold value, X-ray emission is stopped and the preliminary imaging is completed. A main exposure condition determination unit determines a main irradiation time, being an irradiation time with the X-rays during the main imaging, based on an irradiation time with the X-rays during the preliminary imaging and the integral value of the AEC detection signals. The main imaging is performed using the main irradiation time. The normal pixels continue a charge accumulation operation over the preliminary imaging and the main imaging to produce an X-ray image for use in diagnosis.

Abstract: An actual skin input dose rate computing device includes a distance sensor disposed in a direction directly opposite to said subject and close to the center of an X-ray beam but not within said X-ray beam and an angle sensor disposed at said X-ray source as well as a computing unit.

Abstract: A cassette holder of an imaging stand is provided with first and second catch members for catching and holding an electronic cassette from above and below. The first catch member has a multi connector connected to a multi terminal of the electronic cassette. The multi connector is offset with respect to a center line of an imaging surface of the cassette holder. The multi terminal is offset with respect to a center line of an irradiation surface of the electronic cassette in the same direction by the same amount as those of the multi connector. In a state where said electronic cassette mounted on a tray is loaded into the cassette holder, the center line of the irradiation surface coincides with the center line of the imaging surface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described including implantable radiation sensing devices having exposure determination devices that determines cumulative exposure information based on the at least one in vivo measurand.

Abstract: A storage and search unit of a console acquires a source ID of an X-ray source and searches for and extracts a type corresponding to the acquired source ID from source information of a storage device. In the case of an installation convenience preference type in which convenience in connection between a source controller and an electronic cassette is preferred, a detection signal from a detection pixel of an FPD of the electronic cassette is output from a detection signal I/F of the electronic cassette to a detection signal I/F of the source controller. In the case of an installation convenience non-preference type, an irradiation stop signal based on the comparison result of the integrated value of the detection signal from the detection pixel with an irradiation-stop threshold is output from an irradiation signal I/F of the electronic cassette to an irradiation signal I/F of the source controller.

Abstract: A comparison circuit 78 of an AEC unit 67 of an electronic cassette 13 compares the accumulated value of a detection signal from a detection pixel 65 of the electronic cassette 13 with an irradiation prohibition threshold value on the electronic cassette 13. When the accumulated value of the detection signal reaches the irradiation prohibition threshold value on the electronic cassette 13, a detection signal having the same voltage value as the irradiation prohibition threshold value of the radiographing condition on the source control device 11 paired with the radiographing condition on the electronic cassette 13 is output from a detection signal I/F 80 of the electronic cassette 13 toward a detection signal I/F 26 of the source control device 11.

Abstract: A source controller unit for controlling an x-ray source is provided with a detection signal interface for receiving detection signals from detective pixels of an electronic cassette or an integrated value of the detection signals only, or an interface for receiving a radiation stopping signal only. The source controller unit receives other radiation signals than the radiation stopping signal, such as a radiation admitting signal, through a radiation signal interface. The source controller unit uses the detection signals, the integrated value thereof, or the radiation stopping signal as exposure control signals for stopping radiation from the x-ray source. Since the exposure control signals are received on the specific interface therefor, the source controller unit does not need signal sorting operation nor receive different kinds of signals at the same time, improving the speed of radiation stopping procedure.

Abstract: A compensation circuit 76 of an AEC unit 67 of an electronic cassette 13 defines the detection signal of a detection pixel 65 of the electronic cassette 13 as a detection signal corresponding to the detection signal of an old AEC sensor 25. The compensation circuit 76 performs compensation so as to exclude the influence on the detection signal due to a difference in the configuration of an intermediate member disposed between an X-ray source 10 and an FPD 35 of the electronic cassette 13 when the detection pixel 65 is used as an AEC sensor instead of the old AEC sensor 25. The detection signal is transmitted from a detection signal I/F 80 to a detection signal I/F 26 of a source control device 11 as it is (instantaneous value) or as an accumulated value obtained using an integration circuit 77.

Abstract: The present embodiments specify a method and an associated X-ray facility for estimating a radiation dose of an X-ray that is generated by an X-ray source and penetrates an object under examination. First dose values of the X-ray are determined by measurement in an automatic exposure control chamber. A second dose value is determined by estimating the radiation dose that is emitted by an X-ray source in a dead time of the automatic exposure control chamber. The estimated radiation dose is determined by the first dose value and the second dose value last determined being added. The second dose value represents a correction value for a non-measurable dose during the dead time of the automatic exposure control chamber that is taken into account when determining the estimated radiation dose.

Abstract: An X-ray detector of conventional design having photodiodes and scintillator material arranged thereon is able, given a suitable read-out frequency matching a low dose to which the flat-panel X-ray detector is subjected, to obtain images during each read-out operation, from which images the energy of individual X-ray quanta can be derived. An item of X-ray-spectrum information about pixels in a grid pattern can be obtained thereby.

Abstract: Real-Time Dosimetry System, RTDS, is dose measurement system consisting of an ionization chamber and electrometer with the ability to measure, record, and display the high radiation doses required to meet approved standards for sterilization of medical, industrial and food products.

Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other modalities are described for (a) obtaining an indication relating to an emission module (which may be dangerous, e.g.) or its user (who may be untrained, e.g.) and for (b) configuring the module or causing an irradiation (for imaging, e.g.) in response to the indication.

Abstract: Real-Time Dosimetry System, RTDS, is dose measurement system consisting of an ionization chamber and electrometer with the ability to measure, record, and display the high radiation doses required to meet approved standards for sterilization of medical, industrial and food products.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for adaptive exposure in imaging systems. An x-ray source for producing x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector for measuring amount of x-ray radiation passing through the human patient and striking the detector can be used. A tomographic image of the human patient or a tomosynthetic image of the human patient can be generated. Region of interest filtering and equalization filtering can be utilized. Filtering can be accomplished with a mechanical shield or shutter or with electronic control of the x-ray source.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus that transmits X-rays toward a subject on the basis of a set scan condition and reconstructs images from detected X-rays that passes through the subject, including a scan plan setting unit configured to set the scan condition, a reference dose storage unit configured to store reference dose information, including an relation between an attribute information about a plurality of kinds of subjects and reference doses to be referenced for an exposure dose, and an exposure dose calculation unit configured to calculate the exposure dose corresponding to the set scan condition in accordance with the timing of setting of the scan condition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for x-ray inspection are provided. The system can include a source of radiant energy configured so that the radiant energy traverses a scanning volume. The system can further include a filter between the source and the scanning volume, a conveying apparatus configured to impart relative motion between an exposure-limited subject and the scanning volume, a conveyance monitor configured to generate conveyance data reflecting a conveyance state of the exposure-limited subject, a radiant energy sensing apparatus configured to sense radiant energy from the source and to generate source radiant energy data, and a dose controller configured to acquire conveyance data, source radiant energy data, and a signal related to subject dose data, and to generate a measure that a portion of the exposure-limited subject has acquired a dose of radiant energy above a dose threshold.

Abstract: A radiographic apparatus controls the irradiation of a subject with radiation on the basis of a comparison result between an irradiation area calculated on the basis of an opening area of an aperture and a detection area of radiation of an image data generator that detects radiation that has been transmitted through the subject and generates image data.

Abstract: A method for indicating a position of a radiation energy sensor element in a radiographic imaging system, the method executed at least in part by a computer, identifies the position of the radiation energy sensor element relative to a subject to be imaged and displays the identified position relative to the subject.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other modalities are described for (a) obtaining an indication relating to an emission module (which may be dangerous, e.g.) or its user (who may be untrained, e.g.) and for (b) configuring the module or causing an irradiation (for imaging, e.g.) in response to the indication.

Abstract: An object within a region is exposed to a first beam of penetrating radiation. The first beam of penetrating radiation is sensed on a side opposite the region from a source of the first beam. An attenuation of the first beam caused by passing the first beam through the object is determined, the attenuation is compared to a threshold attenuation. If the attenuation exceeds the threshold attenuation, a parameter of a second of beam of penetrating radiation is adjusted based on the determined attenuation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for designing a radiation treatment for a subject using single arc dose painting. The methods and systems comprise an algorithm or a computer-readable product having the same, to plan the radiation treatment. The algorithm converts pairs of multiple leaf collimation (MLC) leaves to sets of leaf aperture sequences that form a shortest path single arc thereof where the pairs of MLC leaves each aligned to an intensity profile of densely-spaced radiation beams, and connects each single arc of leaf apertures to form a final treatment single arc. Also provided is a method for irradiating a tumor in a subject using single arc dose painting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for developing a treatment plan for irradiating a treatment volume within a patient are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, control points used to calculate a dose of radiation delivered to the treatment volume may be combined to result in a smaller number of control points. The smaller number of control points may allow more efficient calculation of dose distributions resulting in a treatment plan that can be delivered to the patient earlier or may allow additional iterations of treatment plan optimization resulting in a more accurate dose distribution being delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A radiation image capturing device includes a radiation image capturing unit, a diaphragm unit, and a control unit. The radiation image capturing unit captures a radiation image based on radiation transmitted through a subject. The diaphragm unit has an opening region that is configured to transmit a part of the radiation emitted from a radiation source and an area thereof is changeable, and the diaphragm unit is configured such that a transmission dose of the radiation decreases as a distance from a circumferential part of the opening region increases. The control unit controls the diaphragm unit such that direct rays of the radiation are irradiated onto a predetermined region of the subject.

Abstract: Method and systems are disclosed for radiating a moving target inside a heart. The method includes acquiring sequential volumetric representations of an area of the heart and defining a target tissue region and/or a radiation sensitive structure region in 3D for a first of the representations. The target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region are identified for another of the representations by an analysis of the area of the heart from the first representation and the other representation. Radiation beams to the target tissue region are fired in response to the identified target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region from the other representation.

Abstract: A system and method for ascertaining the identity of an object within an enclosed article. The system includes an acquisition subsystem, a reconstruction subsystem, a computer-aided detection (CAD) subsystem, and an alarm resolution subsystem. The acquisition subsystem communicates view data to the reconstruction subsystem, which reconstructs it into image data and communicates it to the CAD subsystem. The CAD subsystem analyzes the image data to ascertain whether it contains any area of interest. A feedback loop between the reconstruction and CAD subsystems allows for continued, more extensive analysis of the object. Other information, such as risk variables or trace chemical detection information may be communicated to the CAD subsystem to dynamically adjust the computational load of the analysis.

Abstract: Flat panel images obtained during concurrent radiotherapy typically suffer from artefacts that relate to the pulses of MV energy. For a radiotherapeutic apparatus comprising a pulsed source of therapeutic radiation, a detector comprising control circuitry, an array of pixel elements, each having a signal output and an ‘enable’ input and being arranged to release a signal via the signal output upon being triggered by the enable input, and an interpreter arranged to receive the signal outputs of the pixel elements, the interpreter having a reset control, there are advantages in the control circuitry being adapted to reset the interpreter after a pulse of therapeutic radiation, prior to enabling at least one pixel of the array. Alternatively, the control circuitry can prompt a plurality of pulses by the pulsed source and then enable a plurality of pixels of the array. In effect, the therapeutic pulses are grouped into a short flurry of pulses.

Abstract: In a computed tomography scanner having an emitter for emitting a beam of given radiation through an object to be analysed, a detector for receiving said beam after the beam itself has traversed the object, and a rotating arm, which supports the emitter and the detector and rotates the emitter and the detector about the object along a series of angular positions, there is generated a succession of first pulses, each of which activates the detector in one respective angular position, and a succession of second pulses for activating the emitter so that it will emit a dose of radiation in each angular position, associated to which is a respective dose of radiation in such a way as to pre-define a distribution of doses of radiation along the series of angular positions.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention a dose awareness indication device is provided in which an individual dose is determined on the basis of raw dose measuring data, dose sensor and information data from an examination apparatus, wherein the information data from the examination apparatus relates to the type of examination. Thus, an individualized determination of dose data may be provided, depending on the actual examination process.

Abstract: The field of the invention is diagnostic and interventional radiology and the invention is a dose indicator for use in a system for performing radiological procedures using ionizing radiation, for indicating a dose of radiation received in an area of skin by a subject during the radiological procedure, in which a zone is displayed which is representative of the extent of the area of skin exposed, and in which is a value of dose is displayed which is associated with the zone. The value of dose is representative of the dose of radiation received in the area of skin exposed during the procedure. The display is easily and quickly understood allowing the user of the system to swiftly understand the skin dose accrued by the patient. The use of zones provides an intuitive display.

Abstract: A mammographic system as a radiation image capturing apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a solid-state detector for detecting radiation emitted from the radiation source and generating a radiation image based on such radiation, AEC sensors for detecting a radiation dose emitted from the radiation source, a radiation source controller for controlling the dose emitted from the radiation source based on output signals from the AEC sensors, a reference output storage unit for storing reference output ranges defining respective ranges of reference output signals for the solid-state detector and the AEC sensors, and a malfunction detector for comparing output signals generated by the solid-state detector and the AEC sensors with the respective reference output ranges to detect a malfunction of the solid-state detector, the AEC sensors, or the radiation source.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic exposure control of an imaging implemented by electromagnetic radiation, in particular to prioritizing and selecting several automatic exposure signals in connection with mammography imaging, to be used in such a way that areas having darkened too little would not be left into the image to be formed, at least not in the area of the breast tissue. A selection process of the signals makes up an essential part of the invention, in which signals are selected for the basis of control of imaging parameters according to signal values, and possibly also according to the physical location of the signal sources, on the grounds of the selection criteria according to the invention.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or an apparatus for determining the concentration of a substance in a body material that is composed of two different material components in an unknown ratio. In an embodiment of the method, two computed tomography pictures from which two image data records are reconstructed are recorded in conjunction with two different spectral distributions of the x-radiation. The x-ray attenuation values for each voxel of the two image data records are decomposed into three material components. The decomposition is performed on the assumption that the x-ray attenuation value xM of the body material without the substance is composed of the x-ray attenuation values xM1, xM2 of the first and second material component in accordance with the following equation: xM=f*xM1+(1-f)*XM2, f being a volume fraction of the first material component in the body material.

Abstract: A mammographic system as a radiation image capturing apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting a radiation, AEC sensors for detecting the radiation emitted from the radiation source and acquiring radiation image information for exposure control, a mammary gland position identifier for selecting at least one of the AEC sensors for outputting given radiation dose information based on the radiation dose information acquired by the AEC sensors thereby to identify a mammary gland position as a region of interest of a subject, a weighting coefficient allocator for multiplying output signals from the AEC sensors before the mammary gland position is identified by the mammary gland position identifier, by respective weighting coefficients depending on the installed positions of the AEC sensors, and a radiation source controller for controlling the radiation dose applied from the radiation source to the identified mammary gland position.

Abstract: A method of obtaining recommendations for lowered radiation dose for a type of radiological image, executed at least in part by a computer system, obtains at least one clinical image of at least one patient, taken under a baseline set of exposure conditions, as a basis image. Processing instructions related to image simulation under one or more reduced exposure conditions are obtained. The basis image is processed according to the processing instructions to generate a set of one or more simulation images, each simulation image representative of corresponding reduced exposure conditions. One or more simulation images are displayed to one or more diagnostic practitioners and an evaluation obtained from the one or more practitioners related to at least the quality of the one or more simulation images. At least one recommended reduced exposure condition is generated and electronically stored according to the practitioner evaluation.

Abstract: A method for determining a radiation treatment plan includes defining a part of a treatment using control points, defining dose calculation points, calculating dose in the dose calculation points, and changing a number of the dose calculation points. A method for determining a radiation treatment plan includes modeling a first part of a treatment plan using a fluence map, and modeling a second part of the treatment plan using a first machine parameter. A method for determining a radiation treatment plan includes determining a plurality of dose calculation points, determining a level of complexity of fluence for one of the plurality of dose calculation points, and converting a fluence map to one or more machine parameters for the one of the plurality of dose calculation points based on the determined level of complexity.

Abstract: Recent advances in treatment planning and in the apparatus able to deliver such plans has called for the dose rate, i.e. the instantaneous power output of the radiation source, to be varied with time. This presents a difficulty in that the checking systems must monitor a varying power level against a varying valid range. We therefore monitor, instead, the energy of the individual pulses that form the beam. Known checking systems average out many pulses to determine the recent average power output by checking an ionization chamber every 100 ms or so. By reducing that time to less than a few milliseconds, a single pulse can be captured. The usual manner of varying the output of a radiation source of this type is to vary the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and therefore the measured power output will remain constant notwithstanding changes to the time-averaged power output, and can be compared to a standard.