Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved system and method for motion estimation and motion compensation in cone beam computer tomography (CBCT). The present invention utilizes a method for alternating minimization between volume and motion sub-iterations and results in an improved system and method for motion estimation and compensation in CBCT.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a multi-modality imaging system in combination with a novel imaging method comprising complex modeling of the modalities and machine learning. In a particular embodiment, multi-modality imaging of a large rock core is described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to reconstruct a computed tomography image using iterative reconstruction (IR) that is accelerated using various combinations of ordered subsets, conjugate gradient, preconditioning, resetting/restarting, and/or gradient approximation techniques. For example, when restarting criteria are satisfied the IR algorithm can be reset by setting conjugate-gradient parameters to initial values and/or by changing the number of ordered subsets. The IR algorithm can be accelerated by approximately calculating the gradients, by using a diagonal or Fourier preconditioner, and by selectively updating the preconditioner based on the regularization function. The update direction and step size can be calculated using the preconditioner and a surrogate function, which is not necessarily separable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for computed tomography (CT) imaging to reduce truncation artifacts due to a part of an imaged object being outside the scanner field of view (FOV) for at least some views of a CT scan. After initial determining extrapolation widths to extend the projection data to fill a truncation region, the extrapolation widths are combined into a padding map and smoothed to improve uniformity and remove jagged edges. Then a hybrid material model fits the measured projection data nearest the truncation region to extrapolate projection data filling the truncation region. Smoothing the padding map is improved by the insight that in general smaller extrapolation widths are more accurate and trustworthy. Further, practical applications often include multiple inhomogeneous materials. Thus, the hybrid material model provides a better approximation than single material models, and more accurate fitting is achieved.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the reduction of beam hardening artifacts in CT image reconstruction based on polyenergetic x-ray projection data and polyenergetic x-ray calibration data from a known calibration phantom.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved system and method for motion estimation and motion compensation in cone beam computer tomography (CBCT). The present invention utilizes a method for alternating minimization between volume and motion sub-iterations and results in an improved system and method for motion estimation and compensation in CBCT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to reconstruct a computed tomography image using iterative reconstruction (IR) that is accelerated using various combinations of ordered subsets, conjugate gradient, preconditioning, resetting/restarting, and/or gradient approximation techniques. For example, when restarting criteria are satisfied the IR algorithm can be reset by setting conjugate-gradient parameters to initial values and/or by changing the number of ordered subsets. The IR algorithm can be accelerated by approximately calculating the gradients, by using a diagonal or Fourier preconditioner, and by selectively updating the preconditioner based on the regularization function. The update direction and step size can be calculated using the preconditioner and a surrogate function, which is not necessarily separable.

Abstract: An improved system and method for estimating and compensating for motion by reducing motion artifacts produced during image reconstruction from helical computed tomography (CT) scan data. In a particular embodiment, the reconstruction may be based on helical partial angle reconstruction (PAR) and the registration may be performed utilizing one or more artificial intelligence (AI) based methods.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for automated completion, combination, and completion by combination of sinograms. In certain embodiments, sinogram completion is based on a photographic (e.g. spectral or optical) acquisition and a CT acquisition (e.g., micro CT). In other embodiments, sinogram completion is based on two CT acquisitions. The sinogram to be completed may be truncated due to a detector crop (e.g., a center-based crop or an offset based crop). The sinogram to be completed may be truncated due to a subvolume crop (e.g., based on low resolution image projected onto sinogram).

Abstract: A system and method for performing reconstruction of an image of an object from tomographic data collected by a scanner having stationary x-ray sources and stationary x-ray detectors. The system and method utilize a weighting function based upon a source availability map to establish a no-view differentiation condition, thereby reducing artifacts in the reconstructed image of the object.

Abstract: An improved system and method for estimating and compensating for motion by reducing motion artifacts produced during image reconstruction from helical computed tomography (CT) scan data. In a particular embodiment, the reconstruction may be based on helical partial angle reconstruction (PAR) and the registration may be performed utilizing one or more artificial intelligence (AI) based methods.

Abstract: An improved system and method for estimating and compensating for motion by reducing motion artifacts produced during image reconstruction from helical computed tomography (CT) scan data. In a particular embodiment, the reconstruction may be based on helical partial angle reconstruction (PAR).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for computed tomography (CT) imaging to reduce truncation artifacts due to a part of an imaged object being outside the scanner field of view (FOV) for at least some views of a CT scan. After initial determining extrapolation widths to extend the projection data to fill a truncation region, the extrapolation widths are combined into a padding map and smoothed to improve uniformity and remove jagged edges. Then a hybrid material model fits the measured projection data nearest the truncation region to extrapolate projection data filling the truncation region. Smoothing the padding map is improved by the insight that in general smaller extrapolation widths are more accurate and trustworthy. Further, practical applications often include multiple inhomogeneous materials. Thus, the hybrid material model provides a better approximation than single material models, and more accurate fitting is achieved.

Abstract: An improved system and method for estimating and compensating for motion by reducing motion artifacts produced during image reconstruction from helical computed tomography (CT) scan data. In a particular embodiment, the reconstruction may be based on helical partial angle reconstruction (PAR).

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for automated completion, combination, and completion by combination of sinograms. In certain embodiments, sinogram completion is based on a photographic (e.g. spectral or optical) acquisition and a CT acquisition (e.g., micro CT). In other embodiments, sinogram completion is based on two CT acquisitions. The sinogram to be completed may be truncated due to a detector crop (e.g., a center-based crop or an offset based crop). The sinogram to be completed may be truncated due to a subvolume crop (e.g., based on low resolution image projected onto sinogram).

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for collecting, storing, processing, reconstructing, and interpreting raw scan data from a medical diagnostic imaging scan. Raw data after a scan such as a Computed Tomography (CT) scan is sent to a raw scan database system and image reconstruction system, where image volumes are reconstructed using software from the software bank and sent to a data management system. Raw scan data generated once by a scanner is continuously used at later times to reconstruct images of the patient without having to perform additional patient scans.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for collecting, storing, processing, reconstructing, and interpreting raw scan data from a medical diagnostic imaging scan. Raw data after a scan such as a Computed Tomography (CT) scan is sent to a raw scan database system and image reconstruction system, where image volumes are reconstructed using software from the software bank and sent to a data management system. Raw scan data generated once by a scanner is continuously used at later times to reconstruct images of the patient without having to perform additional patient scans.

Abstract: Methods, processes and systems of image reconstruction utilizing a hybrid local tomography (HLT) methodology for reconstructing internal body images in medical applications, and the like. The system and method of the present invention provides an image with emphasized edges, and the image provides estimations of the attenuation coefficient inside the object being scanned.

Abstract: Methods, processes and systems of image reconstruction utilizing a hybrid local tomography (HLT) methodology for reconstructing internal body images in medical applications, and the like. The system and method of the present invention provides an image with emphasized edges, and the image provides estimations of the attenuation coefficient inside the object being scanned.

Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention is an algorithm which estimates motion inside objects that change during the scan. The algorithm is flexible and can be used for solving the misalignment correction problem and, more generally, for finding scan parameters that are not accurately known. The algorithm is based on Local Tomography so it is faster and is not limited to a source trajectory for which accurate and efficient inversion formulas exist.