Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a noise-reduced CT image data record by frequency band breakdown, a computer system for carrying out the method, and a CT system (1) with such a computer system. In an embodiment of the method, several linear-combined mixed image data records ( M m = c 0 , m + ? i ? c i , m · X i ) are produced from several simultaneously-recorded energy spectrum-specific CT image data records (Xi); a frequency band breakdown of the mixed image data records (Mm) takes place into a first lowest frequency band (F0) and several higher frequency bands; and a result image data record ( E = ? j , m ? g j , m ? ( r ) · F j · M m ) is calculated, wherein each mixed image data record (Mm) is multiplied with precisely one filter and with a location-dependent function (gj,m(r)) and is thereby totaled, and wherein g0,0(r)=1.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying potential perfusion defects in a tissue region through which blood flows in an object under investigation, based on at least one high-energy image data set covering the tissue region and at least one low-energy image data set covering the tissue region. A virtual contrast medium image data set is established based on the high-energy image data set and the low-energy image data set. Furthermore, first candidate perfusion regions within the virtual contrast medium image data set, and second candidate perfusion defect regions within a further image data set based on the high-energy image data set and/or the low-energy image data are detected, the first candidate perfusion defect regions being compared with the second candidate perfusion defect regions and, based on the comparison, potential perfusion defects being identified. Further disclosed are a corresponding image analysis apparatus and a computed tomography system.

Abstract: An imaging system selects a medical imaging protocol using a repository of information associating multiple ranges of contrast agent peak time with corresponding different imaging protocols. An imaging protocol comprises a method for acquiring images using an imaging system and using data identifying at least one of (a) an imaging rate within an imaging scan cycle and (b) an interval between imaging scans. A contrast agent peak time comprises a time a contrast agent concentration substantially reaches a peak value in an anatomical region of interest of a patient relative to a time of start of contrast agent injection. A contrast agent peak time detector detects a contrast agent peak time. An imaging processor adaptively selects an imaging protocol from the imaging protocols in response to a comparison of a detected contrast agent peak time with at least one of the plurality of ranges.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) as well as other sulfatase deficiencies. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that modulate post-translational modifications on sulfatases. Such modifications are essential for proper sulfatase function.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a virtual non-contrast image, includes receiving a pair of dual scan CT images and calculating a virtual non-contrast image from the pair of CT images using known tissue attenuation coefficients. A conditional probability distribution is estimated for tissue at first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being the same type. A conditional probability distribution for tissue is estimated at the first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being of different types. An a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type is calculated from the conditional probability distributions, and an enhanced virtual non-contrast image is calculated using the a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type.

Abstract: In a computed tomography apparatus and operating method, a radiation source and radiation detector are rotated around a system axis, and a patient support plate and diaphragm elements of a diaphragm associated with the x-ray source are also movable in the direction of the system axis. Movement of the patient support plate and the diaphragm plates between respective end positions is coordinated during a dynamic computed tomography examination of a subject so as to reduce and homogenize the dose of x-ray radiation to which the subject is exposed during the examination.

Abstract: A method and a computational unit are disclosed for measuring the flow rate of a contrast agent in a vessel of a patient by way of a computed tomography examination. The patient is scanned by x-rays emitted in a fan-shape from two planes and the absorption from a multiplicity of rotational angles is determined while the contrast agent propagates through the at least one vessel. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a three-dimensional data record of local absorption data with the vessel which can be filled by a contrast agent is reconstructed; a set of x-rays which pass through this vessel is determined for a multiplicity of temporally subsequent rotational angles of the x-rays. By determining the changing absorption values along this vessel from the temporally subsequent vessel/ray-sets, the propagation velocity of the contrast agent in this vessel can be determined from the spatial and temporal change in the absorption values in this vessel.

Abstract: An image processing device and method are disclosed for determining a proportion of necrotic tissue in a defined tissue area of an object under examination based on a high-energy image dataset and a low-energy image dataset, each recorded by way of x-ray measurements with different x-ray energies after a contrast medium has been applied to the object under examination. In at least one embodiment of the method, a virtual contrast medium image is determined from the high-energy image dataset and the low-energy image dataset and a segmentation image dataset is created, by the area of tissue being segmented. The segmentation result is transferred into the virtual contrast medium image for segmenting the tissue area in the virtual contrast medium image. Finally an analysis of values of the pixels lying in the segmented area is undertaken for identifying pixels which are to be assigned to necrotic tissue.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination subject from measured data, wherein a series of measured data sets has previously been acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination subject and the measured data sets relate to the same section of the examination subject at succeeding instants in time. In at least one embodiment, first image data is reconstructed in each case from the measured data sets such that a series of first image data is available. A change variable indicating a change over time within the series of first image data is determined, and a distinction is made between different components of the examination subject in the first image data with the aid of the change variable. This distinction is used for beam hardening correction in an iterative algorithm for calculating enhanced image data.

Abstract: A system automatically adaptively determines contrast agent administration parameters for use in a CT scan imaging system. The system includes a repository, input processor, imaging processor and output processor. The repository includes predetermined information associating, a contrast agent type, contrast agent administration parameters, an imaging system X-ray tube voltage and at least one of, (a) a type of imaging procedure and (b) an anatomical region to be imaged. The input processor receives data identifying a type of imaging procedure or an anatomical region to be imaged. The imaging processor uses the information in automatically identifying contrast agent parameters and X-ray tube voltage in response to the received data. The output processor provides output data to a destination device indicating contrast agent parameters for use in administering contrast agent to a patient.

Abstract: A method and an image data record processing facility are disclosed for correcting image data of an examination object, which includes a first image data record obtained using a first X-ray energy and a second image data record obtained using a second X-ray energy. In this process, a corrected image data record is generated by subtracting from image point values at certain image point positions of the first image data record, image point values, which are assigned to the corresponding image point positions in the second image data record, multiplied by a weighting factor. The weighting factor here is selected as a function of the first X-ray energy used and the second X-ray energy used so that on subtraction a calcium component is removed from the image point values. A method for generating image data and an X-ray system having such an image data record processing facility are also described.

Abstract: In a method and x-ray device to adapt the width and the position of a central value of a greyscale windowing for imaging with the x-ray device based on CT values determined with said x-ray device, the adaptation takes place within the scope of a determination and adjustment of an acquisition tube voltage of an x-ray tube of the x-ray device for an examination of a defined tissue of a patient, assuming a reference tube voltage for the examination of the defined tissue of the patient, and in which a width and position of a central value of the greyscale windowing that are associated with the reference tube voltage are automatically adapted to the acquisition tube voltage.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) as well as other sulfatase deficiencies. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that modulate post-translational modifications on sulfatases. Such modifications are essential for proper sulfatase function.

Abstract: A diaphragm and diaphragm device for the specific manipulation of x-ray radiation that emanates from an x-ray focus of a CT apparatus and serves for scanning an examination subject, wherein the x-ray focus and the diaphragm arranged relatively near to the focus can be rotated together around a system axis (z-axis), and the diaphragm has movable diaphragm elements that dynamically adjust a diaphragm aperture (and therefore the spatial divergence of the x-rays passing through the diaphragm aperture). The diaphragm elements have a transmission factor for x-ray radiation that is different than zero. With such a diaphragm or diaphragm device the acquisition of the projection data necessary for the reconstruction of an artifact-free image of a region of interest (ROI) is possible with lower radiation exposure of the examination subject.

Abstract: A method for generating a tomographic temperature map in a patient by use of a CT device, a computing unit and CT system with computing unit are disclosed. In at least one embodiment of the method, the local distribution of density and mean atomic number is determined on the basis of tomographic image data from different X-ray energy regions, and a local temperature distribution in the tissue of the patient is ascertained from previously experimentally determined or theoretically calculated relations between Z values, density and temperature.

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: A method and a computed tomography scanner are disclosed for carrying out an angiographic examination of a patient, wherein the utilized computed tomography scanner includes at least one recording system mounted on a gantry such that it can rotate about a z-axis. Projection data is acquired from at least one prescribed angular position of the gantry for at least two different energies of X-ray radiation. The projection data is subsequently combined to form a resulting projection image by evaluating the projection data corresponding to the respective angular position, in which projection image at least one substance, which should be displayed selectively, is imaged with a high image contrast compared to the respective individual projection data. This procedure extends the field of application of the computed tomography scanner to projection-based angiography examinations, which were previously restricted to C-arm systems.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for determining the temperature distribution in a tissue to be ablated and/or in a body tissue of a patient containing the tissue to be ablated. The method includes determining at least one item of information relating to a blood flow associated with at least one of in the tissue to be ablated and in the body tissue containing the tissue to be ablated, such that the item of information originates from a perfusion measurement of at least one of the tissue to be ablated and the body tissue containing the tissue to be ablated. The method includes determining the temperature distribution in the tissue to be ablated and/or in the body tissue containing the tissue to be ablated taking into account the at least one item of information relating to the blood flow.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the reduction of image artifacts, in particular metal artifacts, during the generation of computed tomography image data of an object. In at least one embodiment of the method, two CT image data sets are generated with different medium x-ray energies. By way of a weighted combination of the two CT image data sets, a new image data set is calculated. The weighting factor employed in the weighted combination is here selected in such a way that the image artifacts in the new CT image data set are significantly reduced compared with the image artifacts in the two original CT image data sets. In this way it is possible in a simple manner significantly to reduce in particular metal artifacts in CT images.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing picture data of a cyclically-moving object from measurement data is disclosed, with the measurement data being detected beforehand for a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination during a plurality of movement cycles of the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, a first picture and a second picture are determined from the measurement data, with measurement data of different movement cycles being combined for reconstruction of the second picture into a measurement dataset to be used as the basis for the picture reconstruction. Difference information is computed by comparing the first picture with the second picture. Using the difference information, a result picture is computed from the first picture and the second picture.