Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a multi-energy tomosynthesis imaging system. The system includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays from multiple locations within a limited angular range relative to an imaging volume. The imaging system also includes a digital detector with an array of detector elements to generate images in response to the emitted X-rays. The imaging system further includes a detector acquisition circuitry to acquire the images from the digital detector. The imaging system may also include a processing circuitry configured to decompose plurality of images based on energy characteristics and to reconstruct the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional multi-energy tomosynthesis image.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present, a method for acquiring an image is provided. The method comprises acquiring initial image data, identifying one or more regions of interest in at least one of the initial image data or in a first image generated from the initial image data. The method further comprises automatically deriving one or more scan parameters based upon the regions of interest, and acquiring second image data using the scan parameters.

Abstract: A method, system, and software are provided for joint reconstruction of three-dimensional images using multiple imaging modalities. In an exemplary embodiment, the present approach includes providing a first dataset acquired via a first imaging technique or a first image generated from the first dataset, providing a second dataset acquired via a second imaging technique or a second image generated from the second dataset, and generating a volumetric dataset by extracting information from the first and second datasets or images. The first imaging technique may have better resolution than the second imaging technique in a first direction, and the second imaging technique may have better resolution than the first imaging technique in a second direction. There is provided a system and one or more tangible, machine readable media for performing the act of generating the volumetric dataset by extracting information from the first and second datasets or images.

Abstract: A technique and system are provided for compression of tomosynthesis imaging data. In an embodiment of the present technique, tomosynthesis imaging data may be compressed by processing a stack of tomosynthesis images such that differences between some or all of the images or estimates of the images are encoded. In another embodiment of the present technique, tomosynthesis imaging data may be compressed by differentially compressing two or more regions within the one or more tomosynthesis imaging datasets. In addition, there is provided tangible, machine readable media, with code executable to perform the acts of obtaining one or more tomosynthesis imaging datasets and compressing the one or more tomosynthesis imaging datasets using one or more compression algorithms.

Abstract: Dual modality detection devices and methods are provided for detecting nuclear material, the devices include a neutron detector including multiple neutron detection modules; and a gamma detector including multiple gamma detection modules, where the multiple neutron detection modules and the multiple gamma detection modules are integrated together in a single unit to detect simultaneously both gamma rays and neutrons.

Abstract: A technique is provided for three-dimensional imaging in a non-calibrated geometry. In one embodiment, the technique includes acquiring a plurality of projection images through an imaging volume; estimating an imaging geometry using at least one of fiducial markers or anatomical features represented in the projection images; and reconstructing a configurable volumetric representation of some or all of the imaging volume using the estimated imaging geometry, wherein the act of reconstructing accounts for one or more geometry dependent factors. In addition, a system is provided which includes a computer configured to estimate an imaging geometry using at least one of fiducial markers or anatomical features represented in a plurality of projection images acquired through an imaging volume and to reconstruct a configurable volumetric representation of some or all of the imaging volume using the estimated imaging geometry, wherein the act of reconstructing accounts for one or more geometry dependent factors.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a multi-energy tomosynthesis imaging system. The system includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays from multiple locations within a limited angular range relative to an imaging volume. The imaging system also includes a digital detector with an array of detector elements to generate images in response to the emitted X-rays. The imaging system further includes a detector acquisition circuitry to acquire the images from the digital detector. The imaging system may also include a processing circuitry configured to decompose plurality of images based on energy characteristics and to reconstruct the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional multi-energy tomosynthesis image.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a container for presence of special nuclear materials (SNM) is disclosed. The method includes obtaining information regarding at least one of the container and contents therein, automatically selecting an operational parameter in response to the information; and, performing a screening of the container according to the selected operational parameter. The screening includes irradiating the container with an energetic beam comprising at least one of fast neutrons and high-energy photons; detecting energy emitted in response to the irradiating; and analyzing the detected energy for a presence of SNM.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a multi-energy tomosynthesis imaging system. The system includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays from multiple locations within a limited angular range relative to an imaging volume. The imaging system also includes a digital detector with an array of detector elements to generate images in response to the emitted X-rays. The imaging system further includes a detector acquisition circuitry to acquire the images from the digital detector. The imaging system may also include a processing circuitry configured to decompose plurality of images based on energy characteristics and to reconstruct the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional multi-energy tomosynthesis image.

Abstract: A technique is provided for visualizing a volume of interest, such as may be acquired by a tomosynthesis imaging system. The technique provides for the use of one or more weighting functions, such as depth-dependent weighting functions, in the determination of pixel values in a volume rendering. The weighting functions may modify, for example, an intensity determination for a pixel, either directly or by modifying other contributing functions, such as for determining occlusion effects. The volume rendering may then be displayed for review by a technologist or clinician.

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: A method for imaging a breast is provided. The method includes positioning a breast within a breast holder including a flexible membrane and creating at least a partial vacuum within the flexible membrane. A method of upgrading a mammography system and various configurations of breast holders are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating three-dimensional images, such as may be used in mammography. In accordance with these techniques, projection images of an object of interest are acquired from different locations, such as by moving an X-ray source along an arbitrary imaging trajectory between emissions or by individually activating different X-ray sources located at different locations relative to the object of interest. The projection images may be reconstructed to generate a three-dimensional dataset representative of the object from which one or more volumes may be selected for visualization and display. Additional processing steps may occur throughout the image chain, such as for pre-processing the projection images or post-processing the three-dimensional dataset.

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 technique is provided for generating a three-dimensional image from fluoroscopic projection images. The technique allows for the acquisition of fluoroscopic images at different perspectives relative to a region of interest. One or more three-dimensional images may then be reconstructed from the fluoroscopic projection images. The three-dimensional images may then be displayed to provide anatomic context for the fluoroscopic application. A fluoroscopic projection image, such as the most current fluoroscopic image, may be superimposed on the three-dimensional image if desired.

Abstract: A technique is provided for viewing a series of volumes that may be rendered using visualization techniques incorporating one or more weighting functions, such as depth-dependent weighting functions. In one aspect, the viewing technique may utilize such weighting functions to vary the volume of interest in a series of volume renderings. In addition, the viewing technique may provide for varying the viewing angle to minimize the effect of orientation specific artifacts in the displayed images.

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: 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 and computer readable medium for generating a reconstructed volumetric image from projection image data acquired from an imaging system is provided. The method comprises accessing a plurality of projection image data and generating one or more weight maps from the projection image data. The reconstructed volumetric images are then generated from the weight maps and at least one of the plurality of projection image data and a plurality of processed projection image data derived from the plurality of projection image data.

Abstract: An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object comprises an x-ray source, motion controller, an x-ray detector and a processing unit. The x-ray source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the object and continuously moves along a linear path relative to the object. The x-ray source transmits x-ray radiation through the region of the object at a plurality of predetermined locations. The motion controller is coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moves the x-ray source along the path relative to the object. The x-ray source minimizes vibration in the imaging system due to continuous movement. The x-ray detector is positioned at a predetermined distance from the x-ray source and detects the x-ray radiation transmitted through the region of the object, thus acquiring x-ray image data representative of the region of the object.