Abstract: Non-invasive quantitative plain radiographic evaluation of bone in a bony locale of a body is performed by subjecting the bony locale to a broadband collimated x-ray beam having energy in the range of about 20 keV to 150 keV. Alongside the bony locale is a composite phantom. The composite phantom is comprised of at least two materials, superimposed on one another. An energy-selective multiple-film detector cassette containing at least two films is placed under the body and composite phantom to receive the transmitted x-ray beam. The films in the cassette are developed and digitally scanned to produce sets of composite phantom data and sets of bone data. The data sets are then numerically processed using interpolation whereby to generate the indicated estimate of bone status, namely, bone-mineral density. In an alternative embodiment, an independent measurement is made of the total tissue thickness, and the bone status is determined using interpolation based only on a single film.

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: A radiography apparatus is constituted by an image pickup unit including an X-ray source for irradiating cone shaped X-ray beams to a patient under examination and an image receptor disposed opposite the x-ray source for receiving x-ray image data of the patient by the irradiated cone shaped x-ray beam; a cylindrical ring which carries the image pickup unit, defines a sufficient space to receive the patient therein so as to permit relative positional change of the patient with respect to the image pickup unit and is supported so as to permit rotation around its center axis; a second arm, an image pickup unit; a first video image processing unit; a second video image processing unit; and a change-over device which changes-over the x-ray image data obtained from the image pickup unit either to the first video image processing unit or to the second video image processing unit, whereby a three-dimensional x-ray image of the patient is obtained depending on necessity during an IVR while temporarily resting or inte

Abstract: A reusable comfort enhancing frame for holding an intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes four integrally formed side members with a single contiguous perimetric contact surface having a generally rounded cross-sectional configuration and rounded comers. There is a pocket formed in the four integrally formed side members adapted to have the intraoral x-ray film packet inserted and retained therein, and removed therefrom. In one embodiment, there is a slot in one of the four integrally formed side members through which the intraoral x-ray film packet can be inserted to reside in the pocket. In a second embodiment, the pocket is a snap-in pocket comprising at least one lip element projecting from an interior peripheral wall of the four integrally formed side members and at least two snap-fit elements also projecting the interior peripheral wall of the four integrally formed side members.

Abstract: An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes a perimetric comfort enhancing feature. The intraoral x-ray film packet includes an envelope formed by a first outer sheet having a first generally semicylindrical perimetric element formed therein; a second outer sheet including a second generally semicylindrical perimetric element formed therein, the first and second generally semicylindrical perimetric elements forming a perimetric cushion; and a pair of continuous perimetric seals affixing the first and second outer sheets together, one perimetric seal residing on each side of the perimetric cushion. The packet also includes a film chip residing between the first and second outer sheets. The second outer sheet includes a pair of overlapping sections which are sealed together to form a tab portion to facilitate removal of the envelope after exposure.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging system including a solid state x-ray imager is disclosed. An x-ray tube is supported in a vertical x-ray tube support system alternately or in addition to a overhead angulating x-ray tube support system. A solid state x-ray imager is supported in a wall stand alternately or in addition to an angulating table stand. Associated sensors sense the position of the solid state x-ray imager, and a position controller adjusts the position of the x-ray tube such that the x-ray tube is positioned at the center of the solid state x-ray imager. Readout circuitry receives the analog image from the solid state x-ray imager and transmits the corresponding digital information to a digital processor for image creation or manipulation. The digital image may than be displayed on a digital imager acquisition and display system.

Abstract: Radiographic diagnostic device has a projection unit that is formed as a computer tomography system with a radiation emitter and a line detector, which are constructed such that they can be rotated around a projection area opposite one another. A support apparatus with a support plate for an examination subject is provided. The radiographic diagnostic device has an additional radiation receiver allocated to it so that the additional radiation receiver can be moved from a standby position into a pick-up position for receiving a radiation beam that emanates from the radiation emitter of the computed tomography system. Both computed tomography projections and conventional X-ray projections can be obtained with the radiographic diagnostic device when the additional radiation receiver is realized as a radiographic film, a solid-state detector, or a storage foil.

Abstract: A computer tomograph detector for the detection of electromagnetic radiation transmitted by an object, which detector includes at least one detector row which consists of a plurality of detector elements, each detector element including a scintillator for converting radiation of a first energy level into radiation of a second energy level, as well as a photosensor for converting the radiation into an electrical current, each photosensor being associated with an amplifier element, is extended in such a manner that it can include a plurality of detector rows while the electronic noise is nevertheless reduced and at the same time a higher DQE is obtained; this is achieved by arranging a plurality of photosensors and the associated amplifier elements on the same substrate in integrated semiconductor technique.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray device is described including the step of coupling a housing that includes diamond to an anode structure that includes diamond. Further, a target metal may be formed on a tip of the anode structure. An X-ray device is also described including a housing made of diamond, a cathode within the housing, and an anode structure that includes diamond. The anode structure may include conductive diamond, while the housing structure may include high resistivity diamond.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defining element contents contained by solid, liquid or slurry-like materials by means of an X-ray fluorescence method in an online analysis. According to the invention a combination of both the energy dispersive (3) and wave dispersive (2) X-ray fluorescence methods are applied in the method, so that by means of the energy dispersive method (3), there are measured such diffraction lines that are located essentially far from each other, whereas by means of the wave dispersive method (2), there are measured such diffraction lines that are located essentially near to each other as well as such diffraction lines where a high resolution and resulting accuracy and sensitivity are required.

Abstract: A hand holdable inspection device for three-dimensional inspection of a volume distal to a surface. The inspection device has a hand-holdable unit including a source of penetrating radiation for providing a beam of specified cross-section and a detector arrangement for detecting penetrating radiation from the beam scattered by the object in the direction of the detector arrangement and for generating a scattered radiation signal. Additionally, the inspection device has a controller for characterizing the volume based at least on the scattered radiation signal. The detector arrangement includes one or more backscatter detectors that may be disposed asymmetrically with respect to the beam and at differing displacements with respect to the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CT method which involves helical scanning of an examination zone by means of a cone beam. Measuring data for the three-dimensional tomographic imaging of objects of arbitrary length are now acquired completely and without redundancy. The reconstruction requires only a one-dimensional filtering operation. Particularly simple processing steps are enabled by a rebinning operation during which fan beams which are situated in planes extending parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation are combined.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compound refractive lens for focusing, collecting and collimating x-rays comprising N individual unit lenses numbered i=1 through N, with each unit lens substantially aligned along an axis such that the i-th lens has a displacement ti orthogonal to said axis, with said axis located such that the sum of the displacements ti equals zero, and wherein each of said unit lenses comprises a lens material having a refractive index decrement less than 1 at a wavelength less than 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography apparatus in which the scanning trajectory is shaped as a helix and a conical radiation beam traverses the examination zone. According to the invention, the dimension of the detector window (or the part thereof which is used for the reconstruction) is a factor of 3, 5, 7 . . . larger than the distance between neighboring turns of the helix. Using this geometry, each voxel in the examination zone is irradiated exactly from an angular range of 3&pgr;, 5&pgr;, 7&pgr; . . . when it traverses the cone beam. Such data acquisition yields an improved image quality.

Abstract: X-ray positioning apparatus is described for aligning an x-ray imaging device (16) relative to a patient (10) to permit the operator to select and obtain an x-ray image from a selected anatomical region. A plurality of light reflective markers (14) is located on the patient's body to define certain anatomical landmarks. The apparatus comprises an x-ray source (20) and a separate light source (30) and an image sensor (33). Light reflected from the markers are detected by the image sensor (33). The image data is processed by an image processing system (46) which provides a variety of functions including determining the actual position the image device should be located to obtain the desired image. Embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A medical x-ray system, such as an angiography system has an x-ray tube that emits and a radiation receiver, which are arranged at a C-arm, a stand supporting the C-arm, which has an arm that is rotatably mounted at one end around a stationary axis, and a holding device supporting the C-arm, which is rotatably mounted at the other end of the stand, and a patient table The stand is mounted via its arm at the ceiling and is mounted such that the rotational axis of the arm is arranged substantially in alignment with the center line of the patient table.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus analyzes detector data from a CT system to detect a signature of a bad detector. The apparatus generates a plurality of Helgason-Ludwig condition values from the detector data. The generated values are processed to generate a comparison value, which is compared to a predetermined threshold value. A warning message may be generated when the comparison value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the warning message alerting an operator to the likely presence of a bad detector. In one embodiment, the generated values are further analyzed to generate an estimate of the position of the bad detector. In a preferred embodiment, the comparison value is a matrix norm of a matrix generated from the Helgason-Ludwig condition values.

Abstract: A medical examination system which allows the production of x-ray exposures in the context of an MR examination without re-situating the patient has a solid-state radiation detector integrated in the patient bed of an MR apparatus, and an adjustably mounted x-ray source with the further x-ray system components being allocated thereto.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence instrument for measuring the presence of lead in a sample. The lead is bombarded with gamma rays from a source thereof and in turn, emit x-rays. The x-rays are detected by a scintillation detector which emits photons that are directed to a photomultiplier tube which provides signals to an electronic processor including multichannel analyzers to provide output signals representative of the lead present in the sample. The instrument includes a cone plug disposed between the gamma ray source and the detector to prevent gamma rays from directly striking the detector.

Abstract: An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays which includes an anode and a cathode is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes a housing, an anode disposed in the housing and including a target, a cathode disposed in the housing at a distance from the anode, and a heat pipe thermally coupled to the cathode and extending away from the electron emitter. The cathode includes an electron emitter which is configured to emit electrons which hit the target of the anode and produce x-rays. The heat pipe provides transfer of thermal energy away from the electron emitter and into a heat sink.