Abstract: An ensemble of at least two X-ray contrast agents includes X-ray contrast agent and a second X-ray contrast agent. The second X-ray contrast agent has an X-ray absorption whose change between at least two different X-ray photon energies differs significantly from the change of the X-ray absorption of the first X-ray contrast agent between the at least two different X-ray photon energies. An X-ray imaging method, an image reconstruction device, an X-ray imaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a scanner, a control unit and at least one camera. A method for performing a medical workflow comprising a diagnostic scan of a body part of a patient with the medical imaging system includes: automatically monitoring the status of at least some of the system's components and transferring said status to the control unit; acquiring images of the patient with the at least one camera and interpreting the images by the control unit; determining scan parameters for the diagnostic scan based on the at least one aspect of the patient's condition or the status of the system's components; automatically determining a suitable amount of a contrast medium for the diagnostic scan or an administration time of the contrast medium with respect to the scan; and transferring the determined scan parameters from the control unit to the scanner for performing the diagnostic scan.

Abstract: An imaging method is described for generating image data of an examination region of an object that is to be examined. First X-ray projection measurement data of the examination region is acquired using a first X-ray energy spectrum and at least second X-ray projection measurement data of the examination region is acquired using a second X-ray energy spectrum which is different from the first X-ray energy spectrum. A priori image data is reconstructed based on at least the first X-ray projection measurement data and a location-dependent distribution of X-ray attenuation values. A basis material decomposition is performed based on the first X-ray projection measurement data and the at least second X-ray projection measurement data. A location-dependent weighting of the basis materials is determined as a function of the location-dependent distribution of the X-ray attenuation values. An image for the examination region is determined by reconstructing virtual basis-material-weighted image data.

Abstract: A method is for metal artifact reduction in CT image data, the CT image data including multiple 2D projection images acquired using different projection geometries and suitable to reconstruct a 3D image data set of a volume of an imaged object. In an embodiment, the method includes a metal artifact reduction process including at least, acquiring, using a multi-energy CT technique, energy-resolved CT image data associated with multiple energy ranges. At least one result of the multi-energy technique is used in at least one aspect of the metal artifact reduction process.

Abstract: A CT perfusion data determination method is described. In the CT perfusion data determination method, raw X-ray data affected by contrast agent and generated by way of a spectral or multi-energy CT image acquisition method is recorded from an examination region, a plurality of images having been acquired from the examination region at successive time instants. Based on the recorded raw X-ray data, a virtual baseline image is determined by calculating virtual native image data through the application of a material decomposition. Finally a temporal course of a contrast agent concentration in the examination region is determined based upon the raw X-ray data affected by contrast agent and the virtual baseline image. A CT perfusion measurement method is also described. Furthermore, a CT perfusion data determination facility is described. Moreover, a computed tomography system is described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of an embodiment is for automatically estimating and/or correcting an error due to artifacts in a multi-energy computed tomography result dataset relating to at least one target material. In an embodiment, the method includes determining at least one first subregion of the imaging region, which is free from the target material and contains at least one, in particular exactly one, second material with known material-specific energy dependence of x-ray attenuation; for each first subregion, comparing the image values of the energy dataset for each voxel, taking into account the known energy dependence, to determine deviation values indicative of artifacts; and for at least a part of the at least one remaining second subregion of the imaging region, calculating estimated deviation values by interpolating and/or extrapolating from the determined deviation values in the first subregion, the estimated deviation values being used as estimated error due to artifacts.

Abstract: A method is for the characterization of plaque in a region of interest inside an examination subject by way of a plurality of image data sets. The image data sets have been reconstructed from a plurality of projection data sets, which have been acquired via a CT device using different X-ray energy spectra. The method includes: acquiring the image data sets, which include a plurality of pixels. Spectral parameter values are acquired on a pixel by pixel basis using at least two image data sets. Character parameter values are then acquired on a pixel by pixel basis to characterize plaques on the basis of the spectral parameter values. An analysis unit and a computed tomography system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an initialization circuit for initializing memory cells of a memory array. The individual memory cells are coupled to a common bit line of the memory array via at least one pass element of the individual memory cells. Each individual memory cell comprises a charge-based storage element including a capacitance. The initialization circuit activates the pass elements of a plurality of the memory cells to be initialized such that the capacitances of the plurality of memory cells are connected simultaneously to the common bit line. Further, aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for initializing memory cells and a semiconductor circuit.

Abstract: A method includes provisioning an item of patient information of the patient via an interface; establishing, via a computing device, a first item of time information relating to a point in time of contrast enhancement by a contrast agent in at least one first subregion of the examination region based upon the item of patient information and by application of a trained function, at least one parameter of the trained function being adapted based upon a comparison between a first training item of time information based on a training item of patient information of a training patient and a first comparison item of time information, the first comparison item of time information being linked with the training item of patient information; and actuating, via a controller, the imaging device based upon the first item of time information established to acquire the contrast agent-enhanced image data set.

Abstract: A method is for producing a CT image data set via a detection unit with a photon-counting X-ray detector and configured to convert detected X-rays into measurement signals resolved at least into a first and a second energy range and, via an X-ray source unit, configured to emit X-rays having a first energy spectrum and having a different second energy spectrum. The method includes adapting the first and the second energy ranges, at least one limiting energy of each energy range being adapted; emitting X-rays of the first and second energy spectrum; detecting the emitted X-rays, at least one measurement signal being generated as a function of each respective energy range and the respective energy spectrum; producing the spectral CT image data set based upon the generated first and second measurement signals with the assistance of a spectral image processing technique; and outputting the spectral CT image data set.

Abstract: A method and system are for analyzing an anatomical structure of interest in 3D image data. In an embodiment, the method includes segmenting a first contour of the structure of interest in the 3D image data, the first contour defining a first segmented contour volume within the 3D image data; generating a first 2D pattern based on at least a portion of the surface of the first contour or based on at least a portion of the first segmented contour volume; performing a texture analysis on the first 2D pattern; and outputting a texture analysis information.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an initialization circuit for initializing memory cells of a memory array including a common bit line. Individual memory cells are coupled to the common bit line of the memory array via at least one pass element of the individual memory cells. The initialization circuit is operable for receiving a set of partition addresses specifying the partitions, i.e. the memory cells to be initialized. The initialization circuit is operable for successively initializing one cell of the partitions to be initialized and iteratively initializing the remaining memory cells of the partitions to be initialized. A number of memory cells initialized simultaneously in one iteration increases from one iteration to another iteration. Initializing a certain memory cell comprises activating the pass element of the cell so that the memory cell is connected to the bit line. Further aspects relate to methods for initializing memory cells and semiconductor circuits.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an initialization circuit for initializing memory cells of a memory array. The individual memory cells are coupled to a common bit line of the memory array via at least one pass element of the individual memory cells. Each individual memory cell comprises a charge-based storage element including a capacitance. The initialization circuit activates the pass elements of a plurality of the memory cells to be initialized such that the capacitances of the plurality of memory cells are connected simultaneously to the common bit line. Further, aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for initializing memory cells and a semiconductor circuit.

Abstract: A method is for controlling an x-ray imaging device, in particular a computed tomography device. The x-ray imaging device includes an x-ray source and a photon counting detector as an x-ray detector. The methods includes, for an image acquisition process of a patient: determining at least one input parameter relating to at least one of an attenuation property of the patient and a purpose of the image acquisition; at least one of determining or adapting at least one operation parameter of the x-ray detector, dependent upon the at least one input parameter determined; and performing the image acquisition using the at least one operation parameter determined or adapted.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging method is for generating image data of a field of view of an object to be examined. In the method, firstly an individual imaging protocol is determined for imaging of the object to be examined. Furthermore, first X-ray projection measurement data with a first X-ray energy spectrum and at least one set of second contrast medium-influenced X-ray projection measurement data with a second X-ray energy spectrum, are acquired from the field of view. A third X-ray energy spectrum with a third mean energy is then determined on the basis of the determined individual imaging protocol. Subsequently, preferably pseudo-monoenergetic image data, associated with the third X-ray energy spectrum, is reconstructed on the basis of the acquired first and at least second X-ray projection measurement data as well as the determined imaging protocol. An image data-generating device is also described. A computerized tomography system is described, moreover.

Abstract: A method is for determining at least one first characteristic value of blood in a patient. In an embodiment, the method includes acquiring, via a computed tomography device, computed tomography data of the patient for at least two energy levels of radiation using multi-energy computed tomography; defining a region of interest including blood, in at least one image data set reconstructed from the computed tomography data acquired; determining, at least in the region of interest defined, attenuation coefficients for each energy level of the at least two energy levels; performing material decomposition into at least two materials, one material of the two materials being iron, using the attenuation coefficients determined, yielding at least a fraction of iron in the region of interest defined; and determining the at least one first characteristic value, at least one of as and from the fraction of iron yielded.

Abstract: A method is for producing an identification unit for identifying image artifacts automatically. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a learning processing apparatus; providing an initial identification unit; providing a first image data library including artifact reference acquisitions containing image artifacts; and training the identification unit using the image artifacts. An identification method is for identifying image artifacts automatically in an image acquisition. In an embodiment, the identification method includes: providing a trained identification unit; providing an image acquisition produced via a medical imaging system; inspecting the image acquisition for image artifacts by the identification unit; and labeling the ascertained image artifacts.

Abstract: A memory cell arrangement for Random Access Memory (RAM) including one or more RAM cell groups. The RAM cell groups having two or more local bit-lines sharing a Global Bit-Line (GBL), a pre-charging circuit connected to the GBL, a multiplexer connected to multiple GBLs and configured to shift an output of a first GBL from a first bit to a second bit at least in part according to a value of a fuse bit register associated with a second GBL, and at least one pre-charge enabling circuit controlled by a combination of a pre-charge input value applied to all GBLs of the memory cell arrangement and a pre-charge enable signal for the GBL.

Abstract: Circuit analysis and modification by receiving a first description of a circuit, the first description having a first level of detail, receiving a second description of the circuit, the second description having a second level of detail, performing a circuit simulation according to the first description, identifying an active node of the first description according to the simulation, and modifying the second description according to the active node.

Abstract: A method is for noise reduction in image recordings. In an embodiment, the method includes providing an input image; de-noising the input image and producing a de-noised input image; and adapting noise texture of pixels of the de-noised input image via an adaptation method, noise amplitude of the de-noised input image being largely retained and the noise texture of the pixels of the de-noised input image being adapted to correspond largely to a defined noise texture. A corresponding device, a production method for an adaptation device, such an adaptation device, and a control facility and a computed tomography system are also disclosed.