Abstract: A sensor unit (14) for a radiation detector (12), the sensor unit (14) comprising a conversion element (22) comprising a plurality of imaging pixels (30), wherein each imaging pixel (30) is configured to directly convert radiation into an electrical charge and wherein each imaging pixel (30) comprises a charge collection electrode (28); and a readout substrate (24) comprising a plurality of readout pixels (32), wherein each readout pixel (32) is connected to an associated imaging pixel (30) by means of an interconnection (36) at a connection position on the charge collection electrode (28); wherein each readout pixel (32) has a smaller area than an associated imaging pixel (30) of the plurality of imaging pixels (30); and wherein the connection positions in relation to the charge collection electrodes (28) are varied with respect to a neighboring charge collection electrode (28). A radiation detector (12) and a method of manufacturing a sensor unit (14) are also provided.

Abstract: A method of reading out data in a radiation detector having pixels and associated readout circuits, which each have a register. After the pixels detect radiation, data indicative of the radiation is stored in the register(s) of each readout circuit, each time during a plurality of data acquisition periods. Data is read out from the register(s) of each readout circuit, each time during a plurality of readout periods. Each readout period follows a data acquisition period, and each readout period being either a low energy readout period or a high energy readout period. Only data from a single register of each readout circuit indicative of radiation energy above a low energy level is read out during each low energy readout period. Data indicative of radiation energy above a high energy level, higher than the low energy level, is read out during each high energy readout period.

Abstract: A semiconductor based photon counting detector comprising a substrate (11) of semiconductor material; a detector bias voltage supply (12) for applying a detector bias voltage over the substrate, each time during a data acquisition period (t1); a readout arrangement (13) for repetitively reading out data indicative of charges freed in, and transported through, the substrate (11) in response to photons being absorbed, each time during a readout period (t2) following a data acquisition period, wherein the data contain number of charge pulses of photons being absorbed; an external light source (15) for exposing the substrate for light to enable trapped charge carriers to escape from defect levels in the substrate; and a control device (14) operatively connected to the detector bias voltage supply, the readout arrangement, and the external light source.

Abstract: A system for recording CT data of an object in an object area (4) comprises an X-ray source (5) and an X-ray detector (6) at either side of the object area. The X-ray detector comprises a stack of elongated detector array arrangements (6a) arranged in parallel and provided for detecting X-rays (9a) from the X-ray source transmitted through the object, thus recording images of the object. A device (10a) is provided for rotating the X-ray source (5) and the X-ray detector (6) around an axis of rotation which is parallel with the elongated detector array arrangements, while the elongated detector array arrangements are provided for imaging the object repeatedly. Further, either the elongated detector array arrangements are moved within the X-ray detector or the axis of rotation is moved during the rotation to thereby provide for the elongated detector array arrangements to record the CT data.

Abstract: A system for recording computed tomography image data of an object in an object area comprises an X-ray source and an X-ray detector arranged at either side of the object area, the X-ray source having a flying focal spot from which X-rays is emitted and the X-ray detector comprising pixels arranged in at least one row for recording images of the object. A device is provided for rotating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector with respect to the object around an axis of rotation, while the at least one row of pixels record images of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording radiation image data of an object comprises a radiation source arrangement (3)provided for emitting radiation; an object holder (5) arranged in the radiation path of the emitted radiation and provided for housing the object during the recordation of the radiation image data; a detector arrangement (6) for detecting radiation which has interacted with the object; a support structure (2), to which the radiation source and detector arrangements are secured; and a scanning device (1) provided for moving either one of the support structure or the object holder with respect to the other one of the support structure or the object holder in a conical pendulum movement while the detector arrangement is provided for detecting radiation which has interacted with the object.

Abstract: A method for creating, displaying, and analyzing X-ray images of a plurality of objects is disclosed. The method comprising, for each of the objects recording three-dimensional X-ray image data of the object in a single measurement; creating a three-dimensional X-ray image of the object from the three-dimensional X-ray image data; creating one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object from the three-dimensional X-ray image data; displaying the one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object; and analyzing the one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object. For a subset of the plurality of objects the three-dimensional X-ray image of the object is displayed, wherein the subset of the plurality of objects is determined based on the step of, for each of the objects, analyzing the one or two two-dimensional X-ray images of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure 1 for mammography, comprising a stand 2 and an arm structure 3 attached thereto. The support structure 1 further comprises a scanner head cover 6 attached to the arm structure 3. The scanner head cover 6 comprises a vertical side portion 6a, and is designed so that a cavity 12 is formed between the vertical surface portion 6a and a vertical part 3b of the arm structure 3, whereby the cavity 12 provides space for an arm of a patient during imaging. A more comfortable posture is provided for a patient.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing a collimator comprising an X-ray transparent substrate. The innovative method comprises the steps of: forming a slit in the substrate, wherein the slit has first and second side walls; filling the slit with an X-ray absorbing material so that the absorbing material extends from the first side wall to the second side wall; removing part of the X-ray absorbing material thereby forming a second slit that extends from the remaining absorbing material to the second side wall; filling the second slit with X-ray transparent material; removing part of the X-ray transparent material, thereby forming a third slit extending from the remaining transparent material to the second side wall; and finally filling the third slit with X-ray absorbing material. In accordance with the present invention a collimator can be produced having any desired aspect ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging arrangement for imaging an object. The imaging arrangement comprises: an X-ray source 5; an X-ray detector 6 arranged to receive X-rays transmitted through the object from the X-ray source 5, wherein the X-ray detector 6 comprises a gaseous-based edge-on direction sensitive line detector provided with an electron avalanche amplifier, and wherein the line detector is adapted to record a line image of radiation as transmitted through the object; and a support device 8 to which the X-ray source 5 and the X-ray detector 6 are attached so as to be arranged on opposite sides of the object, and wherein the support device 8 is arranged to rotate around the object and is also arranged to be movable in relation to the object. The invention also relates to a system comprising such imaging arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging arrangement 1 for obtaining imaging data of an object 7. The imaging arrangement 1 comprises a support structure 3 having an axis of rotation 9 and comprising means 10 for rotating the support structure 3; a pair of first and second radiation modules 2a, 2b fixedly arranged on the support structure 3 along a radius perpendicular to the axis of rotation 9, wherein each of the radiation modules 2a, 2b comprises a radiation source 6a, 6b simultaneously emitting radiation; a radiation detector 4 for detecting radiation as emitted from the radiation modules 2a, 2b and passed through the object 7 being imaged; and a collimator 14 arranged between, as seen in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 9, the pair of radiation modules 2a, 2b and the radiation detector 4. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A dual-source scanning-based radiation detecting apparatus comprises at least two radiation sources provided for emitting ionizing radiation of optionally different energies, direction sensitive line detectors arranged in an array, and a device for scanning the line detectors across an object to be examined. The line detectors are alternately pointing towards different ones of the radiation sources. The device for scanning is arranged for keeping the line detectors aligned during scanning to enable each of the line detectors to record multiple line images of the object. The scanning is preferably performed at least a distance corresponding to N times the distance between two adjacent ones of the line detectors, where N is the number of the radiation sources, to thereby enable recording of line images sufficient to form a two-dimensional image of the object at each of the different energies.

Abstract: A radiation detector for imaging a sheet-shaped beam (11) of ionizing radiation comprises an electron multiplication chamber (12) filled with a medium for electron multiplication; and a solid multichannel structure (14) arranged in the path of the sheet-shaped beam within the chamber, wherein the structure liberates electrons (16a) in response to being exposed to the radiation. An electron detecting means (17d) is provided for detecting the electrons spatially resolved to thereby image the sheet-shaped beam. The structure (14) is of a scintillating material, so that said the structure emits scintillating light in response to being exposed to the radiation; and detecting means (19–20) are provided for detecting scintillating light (18) emitted from the structure.

Abstract: A scanning-based apparatus for obtaining tomosynthesis data of an object performing a periodic movement comprises a radiation source emitting radiation around an axis of symmetry; a radiation detector comprising line detectors, each being directed towards the divergent radiation source to allow a ray bundle of the radiation that propagates in a different angle to enter the line detector after having been transmitted through the object, and to be detected repeatedly therein; and a movement device provided for moving the radiation source and the radiation detector relative to the object linearly in a path orthogonal to the symmetry axis, and a distance which is sufficient for scanning each of the line detectors across the entire object. The movement device is provided to repeat the movement a plurality of times, each time with a different phase shift relative to the periodic movement of the object.

Abstract: A scanning-based arrangement for obtaining imaging data of an object at high repetition rate comprises a support structure; scanning-based apparatuses fixedly arranged on the support structure and each including (i) a radiation source, and (ii) a radiation detector comprising a stack of line detectors, each being directed towards the radiation source to allow a ray bundle of radiation to enter the line detector; an object table arranged in the radiation path of one of the scanning-based apparatuses; and a device provided for rotating the support structure relative the object table so that the object table will successively be arranged in the radiation path of each of the scanning-based apparatuses, during which rotation each of the line detectors in each of the radiation detectors is adapted to record a plurality of line images of radiation as transmitted through the object.

Abstract: A scanning-based arrangement for obtaining tomosynthesis data of an object (5) at high repetition rate comprises a support structure (11); scanning-based apparatuses (10) fixedly arranged on the support structure and each including (i) radiation source (1), and (ii) a radiation detector (6) comprising a stack of line detectors (6a), each being directed towards the radiation source to allow a ray bundle (b1, . . . , bn, . . . , bN) of radiation that propagates in a respective one of various different angles (?1, . . . , ?n, . . .

Abstract: A method for examining an object includes the steps of: producing ionizing radiation photons; providing other particles or photons, each of which carrying information regarding position, time, movement direction, and/or energy of a respective one of said ionizing radiation photons before having interacted with said object to be examined; detecting each of said other particles or photons to retrieve said information; having said ionizing radiation photons to interact with said object to be examined; detecting at least some of said ionizing radiation photons after having interacted with said object to retrieve information regarding position, time, movement direction, and/or energy of each of said detected ionizing radiation photons; correlating each of said detected ionizing radiation photons with a respective one of said other particles or photons; and deducing information of said examined object by means of said information as retrieved in the steps of detection.

Abstract: A dual-energy scanning-based radiation detecting apparatus comprises a line detector; a device for scanning said line detector across an object while said line detector is exposed to an ionizing radiation beam, which has impinged on said object, to thereby record a plurality of line images of said object; a filter device arranged in the path of said ionizing radiation beam upstream of said object to filtrate said ionizing radiation beam, the filter device being capable of operating in two operation modes having different filter characteristics; and a control device for altering operation mode of the filter device subsequent to at least every second of said line images being recorded.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining tomosynthesis data of an object comprises a source emitting radiation centered around an axis of symmetry; a radiation detector comprising a stack of line detectors, each being directed towards the source at a respective angle; and a device for moving the source and the radiation detector relative the object linearly in a direction orthogonal to the symmetry axis, while each of the line detectors is adapted to record line images of radiation as transmitted through the object in the respective angle. A device is provided for rotating the radiation detector around a rotation axis orthogonal to the symmetry axis, and the device for moving is further arranged to repeat the essential linear movement of the source and the radiation detector relative the object, while each of the line detectors is adapted to record a further plurality of line images of radiation as transmitted through the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining tomographic data of an object comprises a radiation source (50), a detector (42) comprising multiple line detectors (41), an object region (53) arranged in the radiation path between the source and the detector, and a device (54) for moving the source and detector relative the object, while each of the line detectors records multiple line images of radiation as transmitted through the object. The source emits radiation within a large angle to irradiate the object completely in one dimension (y), and the line detectors are sited in rows (71) and columns (72), wherein the line detectors in each row together define an opening angle (?) large enough to detect the object completely in the dimension (y).