Abstract: A plurality of projection images are acquired over an angular range during the slow rotation of a C-arm gantry having a source and detector. Phase-specific reconstructions are generated from the plurality of projections, wherein each phase-specific reconstruction is generated generally from projections acquired at or near the respective phase. In one embodiment, a plurality of motion estimates are generated based upon the phase-specific reconstructions. One or more motion-corrected reconstructions may be generated using the respective motion estimates and projections. The motion-corrected reconstructions may be associated to form motion-corrected volume renderings.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned. A plurality of x-ray emission sources are attached to the rotatable gantry, each x-ray emission source configured to emit x-rays in a conebeam toward the object. The CT imaging system also includes a plurality of x-ray detector arrays attached to the gantry and positioned to receive x-rays passing through the object. At least one x-ray detector array of the plurality of x-ray detector arrays is configured to receive x-rays from more than one x-ray emission source.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned. A plurality of x-ray emission sources are attached to the rotatable gantry, each x-ray emission source configured to emit x-rays in a conebeam toward the object. The CT imaging system also includes a plurality of x-ray detector arrays attached to the gantry and positioned to receive x-rays passing through the object. At least one x-ray detector array of the plurality of x-ray detector arrays is configured to receive x-rays from more than one x-ray emission source.

Abstract: A technique is provided for geometrical analysis and calibration of a volumetric imaging system. The technique includes computing a projection error between estimated locations of a set of markers of a phantom based on a estimated imaging geometry and observed locations of the respective markers for at least one projection image, decomposing the computed projection error into one or more error components corresponding to respective geometric parameters of the imaging geometry, and updating at least one parameter of the estimated imaging geometry based on the one or more error components.

Abstract: A technique is provided for performing diagnosis and/or analysis of a volumetric image generated via anatomy based reconstruction. The technique includes generating a three-dimensional image by reconstructing a plurality of residual projection images from which a contribution of one or more structures of interest has been removed. The technique also includes evaluating the three-dimensional image and/or the plurality of residual projection images to generate a diagnosis.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system is provided. The X-ray imaging system includes a distributed X-ray source and a detector. The distributed X-ray source is configured to emit X-rays from a plurality of emission points arranged as a substantially linear segment, a substantially arcuate segment, a curvilinear segment, or a substantially non-planar surface and the detector is configured to generate a plurality of signals in response to X-rays incident upon the detector.

Abstract: A method of creating and displaying images resulting from digital tomosynthesis performed on a subject using a flat panel detector is disclosed. The method includes the step of acquiring a series of x-ray images of the subject, where each x-ray image is acquired at different angles relative to the subject. The method also includes the steps of applying a first set of corrective measures to the series of images, reconstructing the series of images into a series of slices through the subject, and applying a second set of corrective measures to the slices. The method further includes the step of displaying the images or slices according to at least one of a plurality of display options.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object is provided. The system includes an X-ray source adapted to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions in a sector, an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object and a processor which is adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to move relative to the object and/or the X-ray source is adapted to irradiate the object with the beam of X-rays such that the beam of X-rays follows in a non arc shaped path and/or a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the detector from different X-ray source positions in the sector.

Abstract: A method for performing a computer aided detection (CAD) analysis of images acquired from a multiple projection X-ray system is provided. The method comprises accessing the projection images from the multiple projection X-ray system and applying a plurality of reconstruction algorithms on the projection images to generate a plurality of reconstructed images. Then, the method comprises applying a CAD algorithm to the plurality of reconstructed images.

Abstract: A plurality of projection images are acquired over an angular range during the slow rotation of a C-arm gantry having a source and detector. Phase-specific reconstructions are generated from the plurality of projections, wherein each phase-specific reconstruction is generated generally from projections acquired at or near the respective phase. In one embodiment, a plurality of motion estimates are generated based upon the phase-specific reconstructions. One or more motion-corrected reconstructions may be generated using the respective motion estimates and projections. The motion-corrected reconstructions may be associated to form motion-corrected volume renderings.

Abstract: A technique for directly reconstructing three-dimensional images acquired in tomosynthesis imaging is provided. The method allows for pre-processing a set of projection images based upon the acquisition geometry prior to direct reconstruction of the projection images. Furthermore, the technique allows for post-processing the reconstructed image data as desired to improve image quality. If desired the direct reconstruction process may be iterated a set number of times or until a desired threshold criteria is met, such as regarding image quality.

Abstract: An imaging system for scanning a volume of interest in an object, the system includes a radiation source configured to traverse in a plurality of focal spot positions yielding a plurality of focal spot trajectories. Each focal spot trajectory defines a two dimensional focal spot projection in an image acquisition plane. Each of the focal spot positions comprise at least two positions at unequal distances from the image acquisition plane.

Abstract: Some configurations of method for reconstructing a volumetric image of an object include obtaining a tomosynthesis projection dataset of an object. The method also includes utilizing the tomosynthesis projection dataset and additional information about the object to minimize a selected energy function or functions to satisfy a selected set of constraints. Alternatively, constraints are applied to a reconstructed volumetric image in order to obtain an updated volumetric image. A 3D volume representative of the imaged object is thereby obtained in which each voxel is reconstructed and a correspondence indicated to a single one of the component material classes.

Abstract: A technique is provided for non-uniform weighting in back-projection calculations in tomosythesis. The non-uniform weighting may include weighting based on a count map of the number of times pixels of individual slices are traversed by radiation in different projections. Weighting may also include non-uniform functions for contributions of features at different slice level to the sensed X-ray attenuation system response inconsistencies are accounted for by further weighting based upon projection maps which may be created in separate system calibration or configuration routines.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a reconstruction of a tomographic dataset by filtering and combining the projection images, followed by a backprojection step. In one embodiment, the method can yield a reconstruction equivalent to an additive ART reconstruction, while in another embodiment the method represents a filtered back-projection type reconstruction. The computations do not require an iterative backprojection/re-projection step.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize asymmetric geometry to acquire radiographic tomosynthesis images are described. Embodiments comprise tomosynthesis systems and methods for creating a reconstructed image of an object from a plurality of two-dimensional x-ray projection images. These systems comprise: an x-ray detector; and an x-ray source capable of emitting x-rays directed at the x-ray detector; wherein the tomosynthesis system utilizes asymmetric image acquisition geometry, where ?1??0, during image acquisition, wherein ?1 is a sweep angle on one side of a center line of the x-ray detector, and ?0 is a sweep angle on an opposite side of the center line of the x-ray detector, and wherein the total sweep angle, ?asym, is ?asym=?1+?0. Reconstruction algorithms may be utilized to produce reconstructed images of the object from the plurality of two-dimensional x-ray projection images.