Abstract: An imaging system, such as a DBT system, is provided that is capable of providing processing of an image from initial generation/reconstruction of the image through the review of the image by a radiologist or other practitioner that produces images optimized for the particular task/process performed using the images. The task/review that the radiologist is performing on the processed or reconstructed image can be modeled with regard to the initial generation of the processed or reconstructed images from the raw images or the model considerations can be retroactively applied and back propagated through the image processing performed by the system. These modeling considerations that can take the form of an indicator of clinical performance is/are used by the system to optimize and produce an image(s) that best represents the items in the image necessary for an accurate diagnosis of the patient when reviewed by the radiologist.

Abstract: A method of obtaining x-ray images includes controlling operation of an automatic injector to inject a contrast agent into a patient at a predetermined time, synchronizing operations of an x-ray imaging system with the operation of the automatic injector, and obtaining images of a region of interest of the patient during arterial and diffusion phases of the contrast agent.

Abstract: A method of contrast enhanced breast imaging, comprising injecting a contrast agent in a breast of a patient, imaging at the same time both said breast and a reference insert containing at least one known concentration of said contrast agent, quantifying enhancement of contrast enhanced breast image by comparing said breast image and reference insert image.

Abstract: In the present invention, an image review method and system for performing the method is provided to facilitate the review of image volumes obtained in different imaging modalities and to evaluate the correlation between findings in the respective volumes in an easy to review manner compared with prior art systems and processes. The method and system of the invention provides simulated or actual combined or fused images or representations of registered images obtained in each imaging modality to simplify and accelerate the review of multi-modal breast imaging volumes, in particular when correlation of information between the two modes, including but not limited to, LE and DE, DBT and ABUS, DE and ABUS, etc., is important to evaluate.

Abstract: In the present invention, an imaging system and method for providing contrast-enhanced X-ray images of tissue includes an energy source in communication with a detector operable to generate radiological images of the tissue injected with the contrast agent, a display and a computer connected to the display and to receive the acquired images from the detector. The system is operable to acquire a number of first images of the contrast agent in the tissue, wherein the number of first images are single energy images, and a number of second images corresponding to the number of first images, wherein the second images are each a single energy image with an energy level opposite that for the first images. The first and second images are combined to generate a contrast-enhanced image with reduced exposure of the tissue and reduced time for completion of the procedure.

Abstract: An imaging system, such as a DBT system, is provided that is capable of providing processing of an image from initial generation/reconstruction of the image through the review of the image by a radiologist or other practitioner that produces images optimized for the particular task/process performed using the images. The task/review that the radiologist is performing on the processed or reconstructed image can be modeled with regard to the initial generation of the processed or reconstructed images from the raw images or the model considerations can be retroactively applied and back propagated through the image processing performed by the system. These modeling considerations that can take the form of an indicator of clinical performance is/are used by the system to optimize and produce an image(s) that best represents the items in the image necessary for an accurate diagnosis of the patient when reviewed by the radiologist.

Abstract: A method of obtaining x-ray images includes controlling operation of an automatic injector to inject a contrast agent into a patient at a predetermined time, synchronizing operations of an x-ray imaging system with the operation of the automatic injector, and obtaining images of a region of interest of the patient during arterial and diffusion phases of the contrast agent.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an amount of a contrast agent within an object is provided. The method includes obtaining contrast data from one or more images of an object via an imaging device. The contrast data corresponds to the contrast agent. The method further includes calculating a measured amount of the contrast agent for each of the one or more images by applying a kinetic model to the contrast data, and generating a predictive curve of the amount of the contrast agent via the kinetic model. The kinetic model generates the predictive curve based at least in part on the measured amount of the contrast agent for each of the one or more images.

Abstract: Method and system for obtaining tomosynthesis and material decomposition images of an object of interest using a system comprising an x-ray source facing a detector. The method comprises generating a 2D material decomposition image of an object of interest from at least two sets of acquisitions. Each set is performed at a different energy spectrum and comprises at least one projection image or a plurality of projection images acquired at different x-ray source angulation positions, and the 2D material decomposition image can be generated for a predetermined orientation selected from one of said different x-ray source angulation positions or from a virtual orientation. At least one of the plurality of 3D volume portion images and/or the 2D contrast enhanced material decomposition image are displayed for review by a health care professional.

Abstract: In the present invention, an image review method and system for performing the method is provided that enriches the information displayed in the reference image or synthetic views and/or slabs reviewed by the physician with colored layers of information obtained from an image volume and merged with the reference image, slabs and/or synthetic views. The colored layer enhancement of the reference image, slabs and/or synthetic views highlights the colored areas of interest or features from the image volume in the slabs and/or synthetic views in a manner that prevents the features from becoming lost due to tissue superposition effects or other issues with the combination of the colored layers and reference image to form the displayed combined images.

Abstract: In the present invention, an image review method and system for performing the method is provided to facilitate the review of image volumes obtained in different imaging modalities and to evaluate the correlation between findings in the respective volumes in an easy to review manner compared with prior art systems and processes. The method and system of the invention provides simulated or actual combined or fused images or representations of registered images obtained in each imaging modality to simplify and accelerate the review of multi-modal breast imaging volumes, in particular when correlation of information between the two modes, including but not limited to, LE and DE, DBT and ABUS, DE and ABUS, etc., is important to evaluate.

Abstract: In the present invention, an imaging system and method for providing contrast-enhanced X-ray images of tissue includes an energy source in communication with a detector operable to generate radiological images of the tissue injected with the contrast agent, a display and a computer connected to the display and to receive the acquired images from the detector. The system is operable to acquire a number of first images of the contrast agent in the tissue, wherein the number of first images are single energy images, and a number of second images corresponding to the number of first images, wherein the second images are each a single energy image with an energy level opposite that for the first images. The first and second images are combined to generate a contrast-enhanced image with reduced exposure of the tissue and reduced time for completion of the procedure.

Abstract: Method and system for obtaining tomosynthesis and material decomposition images of an object of interest using a system comprising an x-ray source facing a detector. The method comprises generating a 2D material decomposition image of an object of interest from at least two sets of acquisitions. Each set is performed at a different energy spectrum and comprises at least one projection image or a plurality of projection images acquired at different x-ray source angulation positions, and the 2D material decomposition image can be generated for a predetermined orientation selected from one of said different x-ray source angulation positions or from a virtual orientation. At least one of the plurality of 3D volume portion images and/or the 2D contrast enhanced material decomposition image are displayed for review by a health care professional.

Abstract: A method of contrast enhanced breast imaging, comprising injecting a contrast agent in a breast of a patient, imaging at the same time both said breast and a reference insert containing at least one known concentration of said contrast agent, quantifying enhancement of contrast enhanced breast image by comparing said breast image and reference insert image.

Abstract: An imaging method performed by a device comprising an X-ray emitting source, a receiver positioned facing the source, and a support on which a subject or organ to be imaged is positioned, the method comprises defining a first set of orientations of the source and a second set of orientations of the source, and acquiring images at the defined orientations of the source, wherein it the first set of orientations comprises an orientation that the second set of orientations does not comprise, only one image is acquired at the orientation, and if both the first set of orientations and the second set of orientations comprise the same orientation, at least two images are acquired at distinct acquisition parameters at the orientation,

Abstract: An imaging method performed by a device comprising an X-ray emitting source, a receiver positioned facing the source, and a support on which a subject or organ to be imaged is positioned, the method comprises defining a first set of orientations of the source and a second set of orientations of the source, and acquiring images at the defined orientations of the source, wherein if the first set of orientations comprises an orientation that the second set of orientations does not comprise, only one image is acquired at the orientation, and if both the first set of orientations and the second set of orientations comprise the same orientation, at least two images are acquired at distinct acquisition parameters at the orientation.

Abstract: A method for correcting at least one image of an object obtained with a mammography system is provided. The method comprises: acquiring a pre-exposure image of an object to determine the acquisition conditions for main images, the pre-exposure image comprising regions corresponding to the projection of radio-opaque elements, wherein a mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in an acquisition position; acquiring the main images resulting from the passing through the object of X-rays at higher doses than the dose used for acquisition of the pre-exposure image, wherein the mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in a retracted position; extracting regions from the pre-exposure image which correspond to the projection of radio-opaque elements; and determining the contribution of X-ray scatter at every point of the at least one image of the object, on the basis of the regions extracted from the pre-exposure image.

Abstract: A method for processing radiological images of a region of interest in a patient, the method comprising obtaining a set of images of the region of interest comprising at least two images, acquired using a medical imaging system, each image of the set of images being acquired at one X-ray energy, determining at least one recombined image by recombining a plurality of images forming a sub-set of images of the set of images for each recombination, segmenting at least one image from among the set of images, to detect and isolate at least one zone of the region of interest, and merging with the at least one recombined image whereby the at least one zone of the region of interest derived from segmentation is merged so as to visualize the at least one zone in the recombined image.

Abstract: An imaging method performed by a device comprising an X-ray emitting source, a receiver positioned facing the source, and a support on which a subject or organ to be imaged is positioned, the method comprises defining a first set of orientations of the source and a second set of orientations of the source, and acquiring images at the defined orientations of the source, wherein if the first set of orientations comprises an orientation that the second set of orientations does not comprise, only one image is acquired at the orientation, and if both the first set of orientations and the second set of orientations comprise the same orientation, at least two images are acquired at distinct acquisition parameters at the orientation.

Abstract: A method for correcting at least one image of an object obtained with a mammography system is provided. The method comprises: acquiring a pre-exposure image of an object to determine the acquisition conditions for main images, the pre-exposure image comprising regions corresponding to the projection of radio-opaque elements, wherein a mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in an acquisition position; acquiring the main images resulting from the passing through the object of X-rays at higher doses than the dose used for acquisition of the pre-exposure image, wherein the mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in a retracted position; extracting regions from the pre-exposure image which correspond to the projection of radio-opaque elements; and determining the contribution of X-ray scatter at every point of the at least one image of the object, on the basis of the regions extracted from the pre-exposure image.