Abstract: An imaging system 2 is provided comprising a primary gradient coil assembly 52 and a shield coil assembly 42. The shield coil assembly 42 is connected in series to the primary gradient coil assembly 52. The shield coil assembly 42 comprises a first gradient shield coil 82 and a second gradient shield coil 84. The second gradient shield coil 84 is connected in parallel to said first gradient shield coil 82.

Abstract: A method of imaging and a system therefore are provided. The imaging system includes an image forming device for generating a first image and a second image and a controller coupled to the image forming device. The controller receives the first image and the second image. In the method the controller generates an image ratio of the first image and the second image, regularizes the image ratio of the second image with respect to the first image to form a regularized image ratio and filters the image ratio to form a filtered ratio. The controller then multiplies the second image by the filtered ratio to form an adjusted image.

Abstract: An imaging tube assembly (11) for a computed tomography (CT) system (10) includes an insert (60) that has a vacuum chamber (72). An anode (58) resides within the vacuum chamber (72) and rotates on a shaft (66) via one or more bearing (70). In one embodiment, a seal (52) resides between the insert (60) and the shaft (66). The seal (52) prevents the passage of a gas (80) into the vacuum chamber (72). In another embodiment, a pressure transition chamber (104) is coupled to an insert (60?) and a shaft (66?). The pressure transition chamber (104) has an associated middle fluid pressure that is between an internal fluid pressure of the vacuum chamber (104) and an external fluid pressure of said insert (60?).

Abstract: An imaging tube (12) includes a cathode (30) that emits an electron beam (32) and an anode (38). The anode (38) includes multiple target surfaces (36). Each of the target surfaces (36) has a focal spot that receives the electron beam (32). The target surfaces (36) generate multiple x-ray beams (42) in response to the electron beam (32). Each x-ray beam (42) is associated with one of the target surfaces (36). An x-ray imaging system (10) includes the cathode (30) and the anode (38). A controller (28) is electrically coupled to the cathode (30) and adjusts emission of the electron beam (32) on the anode (38).

Abstract: An anode assembly (50) includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) covering a portion of a bearing (64). An anode (56) rotates on the bearing (64) and has a target (58) with an associated focal spot (60). The thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot (60) of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode (56).

Abstract: A ceiling mount x-ray imaging assembly is provided comprising a track assembly. A carriage assembly is mounted to the track assembly and allows linear movement of said carriage assembly. An extendable column is rotatably mounted to the carriage assembly and has a carriage mount end and a patient directional end. The carriage mount end is rotatable about a vertical axis located at a vertical rotation location positioned in proximity to the carriage mount end. An x-ray tube assembly is rotatably mounted to the extendable column adjacent a patient directional end and is rotatable about a horizontal axis located at a horizontal rotation location positioned. A communication cable assembly provides communication between the x-ray tube assembly and the carriage assembly. The vertical rotation location and the horizontal rotation location are positioned at opposing ends of the extendable column.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a data acquisition system includes a computer controller that is coupled to the data acquisition system. A display device is coupled to the computer controller. The computer controller receives data from the data acquisition system and generates a screen display corresponding to an architectural representation of the data acquisition system. The controller generates screen indicia corresponding to a location of a problem on the architectural representation.

Abstract: A sealed electron beam source (12) for an imaging tube (16) is provided. The beam source (12) includes a source housing (50) with a source window (54) having a first voltage potential and a source electrode (52) having a second voltage potential. The source electrode (52) generates electrons and emits the electrons through the source window (54) to a target (32) that is external to the source housing (50). A method of supplying and directing electrons on the target (32) within the imaging tube (16) is also provided. The method includes forming the source housing (50) over the source electrode (52) and sealing the source housing (50). The electrons are generated and emitted from the source electrode (52) and directed through the source window (54) to the target (32).

Abstract: An x-ray detector (50) includes multiple pixels that receive x-rays. The x-ray detector (50) includes a split scan line (52) that activates the pixels and a data line (54) that conducts charge indicative of the x-rays.

Abstract: An x-ray source (32) for performing energy discrimination within an imaging system (10) includes a cathode-emitting device (82) emitting electrons and an anode (81) that has a target (80) whereupon the electrons impinge to generate an x-ray beam (93) with multiple x-ray quantity energy peaks (116 and 120). A method of performing energy discrimination in the imaging system (10) includes emitting the electrons. The x-ray beam (93) with the x-ray quantity energy peaks (116 and 120) is generated. The x-ray beam (93) is directed through an object (44) and is received. An x-ray image having multiple energy differentiable characteristics is generated in response to the x-ray beam (93).

Abstract: A rotating anode bearing housing includes an x-ray tube frame (106) that has a vacuum chamber (108). An anode (110) resides within the vacuum chamber (108) and rotates on a shaft (114) via a bearing (117). The bearing (117) is attached to an interior surface (126) of the x-ray tube frame (106). The bearing (117) transfers thermal energy from the shaft (114) to the x-ray tube frame (106).

Abstract: An rotor assembly (30) for an imaging X-ray tube (32) is provided. The imaging X-ray tube rotor assembly (30) includes at least partially a magnetic non-corrosive material. A method of producing the imaging tube X-ray rotor assembly (30) is also provided including forming a rotor core (52) at least partially from a magnetic non-corrosive material.

Abstract: A connector cap assembly mechanically and electrically couples to the connector back shell that has connector contacts. A boot housing is formed of an electrically charged dissipative material. The housing is sized to receive the connector therein. The boot housing comprises a floor that contacts the connector contacts. A retainer is positioned on the housing and retains a ground wire in contact with the housing.

Abstract: A temporal image processing system includes a temporal processing controller receiving a first image signal and a second image signal from a scanning unit. The temporal processing controller includes a segmentation module, which isolates at least one region of interest between at least two image signals and generates therefrom a segmentation signal. The temporal processing controller also includes a registration module, which receives the segmentation signal and registers the region of interest and generates therefrom a registration signal. The temporal processing controller still further includes a comparison module, which receives the segmentation signal and the registration signal. The comparison module generates therefrom an adaptive comparison signal of the image signals.

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) includes an electron collector body (110). The electron collector body (110) is thermally coupled to an x-ray tube window (102). The electron collector body (110) may include a coolant circuit (112) with a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). One or more thermal exchange devices may be coupled to the x-ray tube window (102) or to the coolant circuit (112) and reduce temperature of the x-ray tube window (102).

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) includes an electron collector body (110). The electron collector body (110) is thermally coupled to an x-ray tube window (102). The electron collector body (110) includes a coolant circuit (112) with a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). Multiple thermal exchange devices are coupled to the coolant circuit (112) and reduce temperature of a coolant passing through the exchange devices.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device (78) for an imaging tube (18) includes an energy-absorbing body (82). The energy-absorbing body (82) is fluidically coupled to a housing (60) of the imaging tube (18) and absorbs the kinetic energy generated within the imaging tube (18). The kinetic energy may be generated from the separation of material fragments from a rotating target (74) within the housing (60).

Abstract: The present invention is an x-ray tube anode with two targets oriented back-to-back. The targets have separate and opposing cathodes. The targets are a fixed distance apart and rotate together on the same bearing shaft. The cathodes are mounted at either end of the vacuum tube. The cathodes may operate simultaneously or independent of each other based on the CT application.

Abstract: An imaging tube coolant volume control system (14) for an imaging tube (18) includes a compensation tank (80) that is configured to fluidically couple an imaging tube cooling circuit (11). The compensation tank (80) includes a cooling fluid (17) and a compensation-dividing member (100). The member (100) is adjustable in response to the change in volume of the cooling fluid (17). An overflow vessel (82) is fluidically coupled to the compensation tank (80). A compensation valve (86) is coupled between the compensation tank (80) and the overflow vessel (82) and allows flow of the cooling fluid between the compensation tank (80) and the overflow vessel (82) when pressure of the cooling fluid (17) is greater than or equal to a first predetermined pressure level.

Abstract: A method of maintaining an initial bias of an x-ray detector (12) includes setting the initial bias of the x-ray detector. Operating state of a readout circuit (30) is altered. A photodiode common contact voltage potential is adjusted by a data line drift amount to approximately maintain the initial bias. An x-ray imaging system (10) includes a detector (12) that has multiple pixels, multiple data lines (50), and a common contact (62) that is at a common contact voltage potential. The readout circuit (30) is electrically coupled to the data lines (50) and has a multiple power states. A controller (36) is electrically coupled to the readout circuit (30), detects a change in operating state of the readout circuit (30), and adjusts voltage potential of the common contact (62) in response to the change in operating state.