Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray examination apparatus for and a method of forming distortion-free X-ray images, which apparatus and method enable the imaging properties of the C-arm X-ray system to be derived from the patient image. To this end, a reference image (FIG. 4) is formed in a reference orientation of the X-ray examination apparatus and the reference imaging properties of the C-arm X-ray system are determined on the basis of the positions of calibration members (7, 8), which are mounted on the image intensifier (2) and/or the X-ray source (3) and are reproduced, and the known geometry and position relative to the image intensifier (2) and/or the X-ray source (3); the positions of the calibration members (7, 8) reproduced in a patient X-ray image (FIG. 5) are compared with the positions of the calibration members (7, 8) in the reference image (FIG.

Abstract: Integrated circuitry for use with an ultrasound transducer of an ultrasound imaging system is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, unique transducer circuitry comprises a low-voltage circuit and a high-voltage circuit including at least one high-voltage FET to drive an ultrasound transducer element. The low-voltage circuit and the high-voltage circuit are monolithically formed on a single substrate. The low-voltage circuit may include high density digital logic circuitry to generate transmit signals to the transducer element, as well as low noise analog receive circuitry to process signals received from the transducer element. The high-voltage FET of the high-voltage circuit comprises a lightly-doped drain region to increase the breakdown voltage of the high-voltage FET. The low and high-voltage circuits may be fabricated together on a single substrate using conventional low-voltage CMOS processing techniques.

Abstract: Method and device for forming a 3D image of an object to be examined by combining at least two reconstruction images, acquired by an X-ray device, by weighted addition. Specifically, each reconstruction image is weighted with a respective weighting function which describes at least approximately the distribution of noise and/or the distribution of artifacts in the reconstruction image. The image quality of the resultant three-dimensional image is thus significantly improved.

Abstract: A spectroscopic magnetic resonance imaging method involves sub-sampling in the k space. For example, the SENSE technique is applied in spectroscopic MR imaging. Such sub-sampling is also applied in three-dimensional MR imaging.

Abstract: An X-ray filter comprises an array of filter elements (5) an control circuit, the control circuit comprising an array of switching devices (33) provided on a common substrate (52), a switching device (33) being provided for each filter element for switching a control signal to the respective filter element. An output terminal of each switching device is provided with an external connection portion (54) located at the respective switching device. An array of external connection portions (54) is thus provided over the array of switching devices (33). The connection portions are then bonded to a connection block of the array of filter elements. This avoids the need to use edge connections of the substrate (52), and provides a secure mechanical and electrical connection between the control circuit and the filter array.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing method for filtering pixels of an image in a temporal sequence of successive images. At each pixel of the images, spatially smoothed intensities are determined, and the spatially smoothed intensities of a center image are tested relative to the smoothed intensities of its preceding and its succeeding images. If a spatially smoothed central intensity at a pixel substantially deviates from the intensities in the preceding and succeeding images at that pixel, the filtered intensity of that central pixel is assigned as the spatially smoothed intensity of the center image. If not, the filtered intensity of that pixel is assigned as a further temporal filtering of the three spatially smoothed intensities. The invention also relates to an apparatus, in particular a medical x-ray imaging apparatus, for carrying out the image processing method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining images by means of magnetic resonance (MR) of an object placed in a static magnetic field which method includes simultaneous measurement of a number sets of MR signals by application gradients and an array of receiver coils, reconstruction of a number of receiver coil images from the sets MR signals measured and reconstruction of a final image from a distant dependent sensitivity of the receiver coils and the first plurality of receiver coil images. In order to reduce the acquisition time the number of phase encoding steps corresponding to the phase-encoding gradient is reduced with a reduction factor compared to standard Fourier imaging, while a same field of view is maintained as in standard Fourier imaging. In this way fast cardiac imaging may be possible.

Abstract: A cross-sectional distribution along a cutting plane is derived from an object data set of data values. The cross-sectional distribution comprises density values. The density values are calculated from data values of the object data set in positions outside the cutting plane. The object data set represents an object to be examined and is, for example, acquired by way of volumetric computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. For example, the density values of the cross-sectional distribution are calculated by local (slab) MIP or mIP or by interpolation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a serpentine conductor track extending through a plurality of conductor layers and having ends coupled to first and second circuit elements, the ends being in opposing outermost ones of the conductor layers. The serpentine conductor track can selectively be made to be (i) continuous and electrically couple the first and second circuit elements together or (ii) discontinuous so that the first and second conductor elements are not electrically coupled. In the latter case, the discontinuity can be formed in any one of the conductor layers and a bridging conductor track is further formed in that one conductor layer which is coupled to the serpentine conductor track and which bypasses either of the first and second circuit elements. This structure has the advantage that circuit changes can be made in any conductor layer.

Abstract: A filter circuit is provided that provides an input impedance arrangement with a high impedance value, which can be fabricated on a semiconductor body with a high accuracy and with a minimal semiconductor area being required. The input impedance arrangement comprises at least one T network having at least three impedance branches, of which a first impedance branch is connected to the filter input, a second impedance branch is connected to the amplifier input and a third impedance branch is connected to a circuit point for draining a current from the filter input.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a MOS transistor having an LDD structure. A gate dielectric (6) and a gate electrode (7, 8) are formed on a surface (5) of a silicon substrate (1). The surface adjacent the gate electrode is then exposed, and a layer of semiconductor material (10) is formed on an edge (9) of the surface adjoining the gate electrode. Ions (13, 14) are subsequently implated, with the gate electrode and the layer of semiconductor material acting as a mask. Finally, a heat treatment is carried out whereby a source zone (16, 17) and a drain zone (18, 19) are formed through activation of the implanted ions and through diffusion of atoms of a dopant from the layer of semiconductor material. The portions (b) of these zones formed by diffusion are weakly doped here and lie between the more strongly doped portions (a) formed through activation of implanted ions and the channel zone (20, 21). An LDD structure has thus been formed.