Abstract: A system (300) includes input/output configured to receive line integrals from a contrast enhanced spectral scan by an imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging system (400) includes a radiation source (408) configured to emit X-ray radiation, a detector array (410) configured to detected X-ray radiation and generate projection data indicative thereof, and a first processing chain (418) configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image. A method includes receiving projection data produced by an imaging system and processing the projection data with a first processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image. A processor is configured to: scan an object or subject with an x-ray imaging system and generating projection data, process the projection data with a first processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image, process the projection data with a second processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a structure image, and de-noise the structure image based on the noise only image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer tomography X-ray imaging. In order to provide further improved data for the reconstruction, a system (10) for computer tomography X-ray imaging is provided. The system comprises a data interface (12) and a processing unit (14). The data interface is configured to provide at least first and second CT X-ray radiation projection data for at least a first and second X-ray energy range, which ranges are different from each other. The processing unit is configured to determine a correction for slice normalization, and to apply an equal slice normalization for the first and the second CT X-ray projection data and thereby generating prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data. For the correction, the equal slice normalization is based on measured data of outer detector elements. Further, the data interface is configured to provide the prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data for further processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image generation apparatus (1) for generating an image of an object. A reconstruction unit (10) reconstructs the image based on provided measured projection values such that costs defined by a cost function are reduced, wherein the cost function depends on differences between calculated projection values, which have been determined by simulating a forward projection through the image, and the provided measured projection values, and wherein a degree of dependence of the cost function on a respective difference depends on the respective difference. This can allow for a consideration of a degree of disturbance of the measured projection values by motion and/or by an incomplete illumination of the object during the reconstruction process, which can lead to a reconstruction of an image having an improved image quality.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and a related method. In particular, the apparatus includes a novel image reconstructor to reconstruct cross sectional images of a specimen from interferometric projection data (m). The reconstructor (RECON) is based on a new forward model that accounts for cross-talk of a phase contrast signal into a dark field signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer tomography X-ray imaging. In order to provide further improved data for the reconstruction, a system (10) for computer tomography X-ray imaging is provided. The system comprises a data interface (12) and a processing unit (14). The data interface is configured to provide at least first and second CT X-ray radiation projection data for at least a first and second X-ray energy range, which ranges are different from each other. The processing unit is configured to determine a correction for slice normalization, and to apply an equal slice normalization for the first and the second CT X-ray projection data and thereby generating prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data. For the correction, the equal slice normalization is based on measured data of outer detector elements. Further, the data interface is configured to provide the prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data for further processing.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and related method to transform different multi-modal or multi-contrast input images (u,v) into respective transformed images (U,V). The transformation may proceed iteratively to improve a regularized objective function. The regularization is via a regularizer function (R). The regularizer function (R) is computed from noise normalized gradients of the two or more transformed images (u,v).

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray imaging device (10) for an object, an X-ray imaging system (100) for an object, an X-ray imaging method for an object, and a computer program element for controlling such device or system and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The X-ray imaging device (10) comprises a receiving unit (11) and a processing unit (12). The receiving unit (11) is configured to receive attenuation data representing attenuation properties of the object for at least two different X-ray spectra. The processing unit (12) is configured to decompose the attenuation data into decomposed data, to reduce noise in the decomposed data to obtain de-noised data, to back-convert the de-noised data into back-converted attenuation data, to combine back-converted attenuation data and the attenuation data into combined attenuation data, and to decompose the combined attenuation data into combined decomposed data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for denoising a vector-valued image, the device (100) comprising: a generator (10), which is configured to generate an initial loss function (L_I) comprising at least one initial covariance matrix (ICM) defining a model of correlated noise for each pixel of the vector-valued image; a processor (20), which is configured to provide a final loss function (L_F) comprising a set of at least one final covariance matrix (FCM) based on the initial loss function by modifying at least one submatrix and/or at least one matrix element of the initial covariance matrix (ICM); and a noise-suppressor (30), which is configured to denoise the vector-valued image using the fmal loss function (L_F) comprising the set of the at least one fmal covariance matrix (FCM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reconstructing an X-ray tomography image, the device comprising a reconstruction module, which is configured to utilize an ordered subset maximum likelihood optimization with a diagonal paraboloid approximation of a cost function for the reconstructing of the X-ray tomography image; and a calculation module, which is configured to calculate a pre-computable denominator term for the cost function for a plurality of subsets of projection data based on a distribution of diagonal denominator terms over the plurality of the subsets of the projection data.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of correcting an image for an image artifact. An initial image is corrected by an image artifact corrector (190). The so corrected sample correction image is compared with the initial image to obtain information on the corrective action. The corrective action is then adaptively reapplied by a controller (140) to obtain an improved corrected image thereby ensuring previously present artifacts are removed and creation of new artifacts are avoided.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining projection data from a scan of a moving structure of interest. The method further includes reconstructing the projection data, generating first image data. The method further includes identifying a sub-set of the projection. The method further includes reconstructing the sub-set projection data, generating second image data. The method further includes identifying a region in which the moving structure of interest is located based on the first image data. The method further includes identifying a location of the moving structure of interest in the identified region based on the second image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray imaging device (10) for an object, an X-ray imaging system (100) for an object, an X-ray imaging method for an object, and a computer program element for controlling such device or system and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The X-ray imaging device (10) comprises a receiving unit (11) and a processing unit (12). The receiving unit (11) is configured to receive attenuation data representing attenuation properties of the object for at least two different X-ray spectra. The processing unit (12) is configured to decompose the attenuation data into decomposed data, to reduce noise in the decomposed data to obtain de-noised data, to back-convert the de-noised data into back-converted attenuation data, to combine back-converted attenuation data and the attenuation data into combined attenuation data, and to decompose the combined attenuation data into combined decomposed data.

Abstract: A system and related method for signal processing. Interferometric projection data reconstructed into one or more images for a spatial distribution of a physical property of an imaged object. The interferometric projection data is derived from signals acquired by an X-ray detector (D), said signals caused by X-ray radiation after interaction of said X-ray radiation with an interferometer and with the object (OB) to be imaged, said interferometer (IF) having a reference phase. A reconstructor (RECON) reconstructs for the image(s) by fitting said data to a signal model by adapting fitting variables, said fitting variables including i) one or more imaging variables for the one or more images and ii), in addition to said one or more imaging variables, a dedicated phase variable for a fluctuation of said reference phase.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals, each set corresponding to a different basis material and filtering the at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals with an anti-correlation filter that at least includes a regularization term with balancing regularization factors, thereby producing de-noised basis material line integrals. An imaging system (100) includes a projection data processor (116) with an anti-correlation filter (118) that filters at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals, each set corresponding to a different basis material, thereby producing de-noised basis material line integrals, wherein the anti-correlation filter includes a regularization term with regularization balancing factors.

Abstract: A double focal spot X-ray tube is used to acquire a set of two images PI?, PI? for a given gantry position from slightly different view positions. The stereo or binocular disparity (BD) of imaged structures is used to estimate the object depth in view direction, which in turn is used to discriminate between objects inside IO and outside EO the body. Respective structures are virtually removed from the images PI?, PI?.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and related method to transform different multi-modal or multi-contrast input images (u,v) into respective transformed images (U, V). The transformation may proceed iteratively to improve a regularized objective function. The regularization is via a regularizer function (R). The regularizer function (R) is computed from noise normalized gradients of the two or more transformed images (u,v).

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source (108) configured to rotate about an examination region (106)and emit radiation that traverses the examination region. The imaging system further includes an array of radiation sensitive pixels (112) configured to detect radiation traversing the examination region and output a signal indicative of the detected radiation. The array of radiation sensitive pixels is disposed opposite the radiation source, across the examination region. The imaging system further includes a rigid flux filter device (130) disposed in the examination region between the radiation source and the radiation sensitive detector array of photon counting pixels. The rigid flux filter device is configured to filter the radiation traversing the examination region and incident thereon. The radiation leaving the rigid flux filter device has a predetermined flux.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising a radiation source (2) for emitting radiation from a focal region (20) through an imaging area (5), a detection unit (6) for detecting radiation from said imaging area (5), said detection unit comprising an anti-scatter grid (62) and a detector (61), a gantry (1) to which said radiation source (2) and said detection unit (6) are mounted and a controller (9) for controlling said detection unit (6) to detect radiation at a plurality of projection positions and for manipulating the position, setting and/or orientation of at least a part of said radiation source (2) and/or said detection unit (6) at first projection positions (80) so that the radiation incident on the detector (61) at said first projection positions is attenuated by said anti-scatter grid (62) to a larger extent compared to second projection positions (80) representing the remaining projection positions.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a dark-field signal generated from a dark-field CT scan of an object, wherein the dark-field CT scan is at least a 360 degree scan. The method further includes weighting the dark-field signal. The method further includes performing a cone beam reconstruction of the weighted dark-field signal over the 360 degree scan, thereby generating volumetric image data. For an axial cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan FDK cone beam reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan aperture weighted wedge reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in another non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan angular weighted wedge reconstruction.