Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in combination of appliances for protecting against overvoltages, said combination of appliances comprising: a socket-type lower part and at least one plug-in module, which can both receive overvoltage protection elements; contact elements and contact counter elements that are respectively arranged in the lower part and in the plug-in module; and complementary guide rails or guide grooves for inserting or pushing-on and fixing the respective plug-in module. According to the invention, functionally separated, mechanical catch or snap-in elements act between the respective plug-in module and the socket-type lower part independently of the forces which hold together the contact elements and the contact counter elements in a positively fixed and/or non-positively fixed manner when the plug-in module is in use. The catch or snap-in function can be cancelled without any mechanical auxiliary means when the respective plug-in module is to be replaced.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing CT image displays. In at least one embodiment, the method includes compiling N?2 CT image data records of an area of a patient on the basis of N different X-ray energy spectra, each pixel or voxel being assigned an N-tuple CT numbers, each CT number of the N-tuple being assigned to the absorption value of one of the N X-ray energy spectra; carrying out material destruction over at least one predetermined subarea of the area of the patient represented in the CT image data records with reference to at least three materials including at least bone mineral, yellow bone marrow and red bone marrow; and outputting and/or displaying at least one CT image data record at least with reference to the predetermined subarea with absorption values relating to one of the N X-ray energy spectra or to a mathematically simulated spectrum from which the bone mineral content is extracted.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or an apparatus for determining the concentration of a substance in a body material that is composed of two different material components in an unknown ratio. In an embodiment of the method, two computed tomography pictures from which two image data records are reconstructed are recorded in conjunction with two different spectral distributions of the x-radiation. The x-ray attenuation values for each voxel of the two image data records are decomposed into three material components. The decomposition is performed on the assumption that the x-ray attenuation value xM of the body material without the substance is composed of the x-ray attenuation values xM1, xM2 of the first and second material component in accordance with the following equation: xM=f*xM1+(1-f)*XM2, f being a volume fraction of the first material component in the body material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting two contrast agents to be used in a dual energy CT examination of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining the gradient of a connecting line between a first material or a first tissue type and a second material or second tissue type in an HU value diagram of the energy-specific HU values, selecting a first contrast agent with an enhancement gradient which is significantly greater than the determined base gradient, and selecting a second contrast agent, the enhancement of which lies in the significance region of the determined base gradient. A contrast agent combination selected in the fashion is also disclosed in at least one embodiment, as well as the generation of CT images using a contrast agent combination selected in the fashion and using different energy spectra.

Abstract: In a method and control device to control a slice image acquisition system, a scan protocol is initially selected from a number of scan protocols, and then an automatic control of the slice image acquisition system (13) ensues on the basis of the selected scan protocol by automatic receipt of previous information regarding the examination subject, automatic synchronization of the previous information with information regarding scan protocol-specific parameters of scan protocols, and automatic selection of the scan protocol, from among the number of scan protocols, that has parameters exhibiting the greatest compatibility with the received previous information according to an established rule.

Abstract: A method and a correspondingly configured tomography scanner are disclosed for normalizing image data with respect to a contrast in the image data produced by a contrast agent, the image data illustrating a tissue structure to be examined and at least part of a blood vessel system of an examination region connected to the tissue structure, which are at least in part permeated by the contrast agent. In an embodiment of the method, image data of the examination region is provided with the aid of the tomography scanner. At least one section of a reference vessel permeated by contrast agent is selected in the image data. The image data is normalized on the basis of image data from the section of the reference vessel such that the contrast in the image data as a result of the contrast agent is almost independent of patient-specific and examination-specific parameters in order to ensure that image data from different times can be compared.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding disk for an eccentric grinding machine. In order to operate the grinding disk (22) having different disks diameters on one and the same eccentric grinding machine for achieving grinding results at optimum quality, without any loss of smoothness and handling quality, the disk mass of the grinding disk has a fixed predetermined value that is independent of the disk diameter selected.

Abstract: A method and an image evaluation unit are disclosed for recognizing and marking contrast agents in blood vessels of the lung with the aid of a CT examination using at least two different x-ray energy spectra.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and computer readable mediums for generating a volume visualization image based on multi-energy computed tomography data are provided. In one method, an image is rendered based on a multi-dimensional graphical representation of the computed tomography data. The computed tomography data includes at least two different energy image data sets and the multi-dimensional graphical representation represents intensity values of each of the at least two different energy image data sets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in combination of appliances for protecting against overvoltages, said combination of appliances comprising: a socket-type lower part and at least one plug-in module, which can both receive overvoltage protection elements; contact elements and contact counter elements that are respectively arranged in the lower part and in the plug-in module; and complementary guide rails or guide grooves for inserting or pushing-on and fixing the respective plug-in module. According to the invention, functionally separated, mechanical catch or snap-in elements act between the respective plug-in module and the socket-type lower part independently of the forces which hold together the contact elements and the contact counter elements in a positively fixed and/or non-positively fixed manner when the plug-in module is in use. The catch or snap-in function can be cancelled without any mechanical auxiliary means when the respective plug-in module is to be replaced.

Abstract: A method and a CT system are disclosed having a computation unit for distinguishing between four materials (M1, M2, M3, M4) in tomographic records of a dual-energy CT system, wherein the size of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional viewing area is defined around each voxel whose material content is to be distinguished. In an embodiment of the method, the adjacent voxels from the viewing area on an HU value diagram are imaged for each voxel (Vi) whose material content is to be distinguished, the distances from the diagonals are calculated for all the imaged voxels, and the mean squares of these distances are formed (x12, x22). If the mean square distance (x12, x22) to one diagonal is less than to the other diagonal, then the composition of the voxel is assumed to be composed of the materials to whose diagonal the lower mean square distance (x12, x22) occurs.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or a device for automatically detecting chemical anomalies and/or salient features in soft tissue of an object area. In at least one embodiment of the method, two image data records of two computed tomography pictures of the object are provided which are recorded in the context of a different spectral distribution of the X-radiation. The following steps are carried out for each voxel of at least one interesting slice whose X-ray attenuation values are characteristic of soft tissue. Firstly, two X-ray attenuation values of the voxel, or two averaged X-ray attenuation values of the environment of the voxel are used to determine a data point of the voxel in a diagram in which the X-ray attenuation values are plotted against one another in the context of the two spectral distributions of the X-radiation.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for automatically differentiating bones or other calcium-containing materials and contrast agent in soft tissue of an object area. In at least one embodiment of the method, two image data records of two computed tomography pictures of the object are provided that have been recorded in the context of a different spectral distribution of the X-radiation. For voxels of at least one interesting slice, there is calculated from the two image data records a ratio r that is yielded from measured or averaged X-ray attenuation values of the respective voxel or its environment in the context of the different spectral distributions of the X-radiation and prescribed X-ray attenuation values of soft tissue in the context of the different spectral distributions of the X-radiation according to a prescribed calculation rule.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or a device for automatically differentiating types of kidney stones by way of computed tomography. In at least one embodiment, the method provides two image data records of two computed tomography pictures of an object area including the kidney stones that have been recorded in the context of a different spectral distribution of the X-radiation. For each voxel of an interesting slice of the object area that has X-ray attenuation values typical of kidney stones there is calculated from the two image data records a ratio r that is yielded from X-ray attenuation values of the voxel and prescribed X-ray attenuation values of pure urine in the context of the different spectral distributions of the X-radiation. The respective voxel is assigned to one of at least two types of kidney stones as a function of the variable r. The present method enables the automatic differentiation of types of kidney stones by way of computed tomography.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or an apparatus for determining the concentration of a substance in a body material that is composed of two different material components in an unknown ratio. In an embodiment of the method, two computed tomography pictures from which two image data records are reconstructed are recorded in conjunction with two different spectral distributions of the x-radiation. The x-ray attenuation values for each voxel of the two image data records are decomposed into three material components. The decomposition is performed on the assumption that the x-ray attenuation value xM of the body material without the substance is composed of the x-ray attenuation values xM1, xM2 of the first and second material component in accordance with the following equation: xM=f*xM1+(1-f)*XM2, f being a volume fraction of the first material component in the body material.

Abstract: A compact arrangement for multipole, surge-protected surge arresters, including internally wired, encapsulated series gaps arranged essentially in parallel in a housing. The series gaps have opposite-lying, projecting contact surfaces connected to outer terminals and inner contact bars or bridges. An electronic control or trigger circuit is located on a wiring support. The housing includes dividing walls and has a trough shape, the resulting housing chambers accommodating the gaps and terminals. An insulating plate with openings into which spring contact elements are introduced is provided on the housing trough which opens upwards. Located above the insulating plate is the wiring. The spring contact elements create the electrical connection between contact points on the underside of the wiring support and the cover of one of the series gaps, respectively.

Abstract: A spark-gap arrangement encapsulated in a pressure-proof housing, for diverting harmful disturbances due to overvoltage, including at least two electrodes disposed substantially opposite one another in a housing that is conductive or provided with a conductive coating, between which a discharge space is formed and which are insulated from the housing. In accordance with the spark-gap arrangement a trigger voltage to form a subsidiary spark gap in the discharge space can be applied directly by the conductive housing, so that by the subsidiary spark gap the main spark gap between the main electrodes can be ignited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact arrangement for multipole, surge-proof surge arresters, comprising internally wired, encapsulated spark gaps arranged essentially in parallel in a housing. Said spark gaps have facing projecting contact surfaces connected to outer terminals and inner contact bars or bridges. The arrangement also comprises an electronic control or trigger circuit provided on a wiring support. The housing is provided with dividing walls and is through-shaped, the resulting housing chambers accommodating the spark gaps and the terminals. An insulating plate with openings into which spring contact elements are introduced is provided on the upwardly opening housing trough. Above said insulating plate the wiring support is provided. The spring contact elements create an electrical connection between contact points on the underside of the wiring support and the cover of in each case one of the spark gaps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spark-gap arrangement encapsulated in a pressure-proof housing, for diverting harmful disturbances due to overvoltage, comprising at least two electrodes disposed substantially opposite one another in a housing that is conductive or provided with a conductive coating, between which a discharge space is formed and which are insulated from the housing. In accordance with the invention a trigger voltage to form a subsidiary spark gap in the discharge space can be applied directly by way of the conductive housing, so that by way of the subsidiary spark gap the main spark gap between the main electrodes can be ignited.