Abstract: Systems are provided for an imaging system isolation enclosure for use with a medical imaging system includes a pathogen impermeable enclosure for use with one or more of radiation imaging systems and magnetic resonance imaging systems, the pathogen impermeable enclosure is configured to provide a barrier between the imaging system and at least one of a patient user and an imaging room, and an air filtration system including an inlet to supply a cooling air flow to an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure and an outlet to output exhaust air from an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, an imaging system comprises a stationary distributed x-ray source unit comprising a plurality of emitters positioned to emit x-ray beams through the imaging volume, one or more detector arrays extending around at least a portion of an imaging volume, each detector array comprising a plurality of detector elements, each detector element configured to receive x-ray beams from more than one emitter, and an anti-scatter device configured to be positioned between one or more emitters of the plurality of emitters and an object in the imaging volume.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an imaging system includes activating an emitter of a plurality of emitters of a stationary distributed x-ray source unit to emit an x-ray beam toward an object within an imaging volume, where the x-ray source unit does not rotate around the imaging volume, receiving the x-ray beam at a subset of detector elements of a plurality of detector elements of one or more detector arrays, sampling the plurality of detector elements to generate a total transmission profile, an attenuation profile, and a scatter measurement, generating a scatter-corrected attenuation profile by entering the total transmission profile, the attenuation profile, and the scatter measurement as inputs to a model, and reconstructing one or more images from the scatter-corrected attenuation profile.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a radiation shielding component of an imaging apparatus. In one embodiment, the radiation shielding component may be manufactured by infiltrating metal particles with a binder solution and then curing the binder solution impregnated with the metal particles. In another embodiment, the radiation shielding component may be printed with metal powder, infiltrated with a binding agent, and then cured to polymerize the binding agent.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for reducing vibration in a rotating body of a medical imaging system. In an example, a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) for a medical imaging system includes a mount portion including one or more apertures and adapted to fixedly couple to a mount surface within the imaging system; a sprung portion; and a vibrational tuner, where when the mount portion is mounted to the mount surface and during operation of the imaging system, the sprung portion moves relative to the mount surface, an amount of movement of the sprung portion based at least in part on the vibrational tuner.

Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating metal particle leakage from a three-dimensional printed part. The method includes providing an additively manufactured part manufactured out of one or more materials, and the one or more materials comprise a metal. The method also includes applying a coating over surfaces of the additively manufactured part to keep metal particles from leaking from the additively manufactured part.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an imaging system includes activating an emitter of a plurality of emitters of a stationary distributed x-ray source unit to emit an x-ray beam toward an object within an imaging volume, where the x-ray source unit does not rotate around the imaging volume, receiving the x-ray beam at a subset of detector elements of a plurality of detector elements of one or more detector arrays, sampling the plurality of detector elements to generate a total transmission profile, an attenuation profile, and a scatter measurement, generating a scatter-corrected attenuation profile by entering the total transmission profile, the attenuation profile, and the scatter measurement as inputs to a model, and reconstructing one or more images from the scatter-corrected attenuation profile.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, an imaging system comprises a stationary distributed x-ray source unit comprising a plurality of emitters positioned to emit x-ray beams through the imaging volume, one or more detector arrays extending around at least a portion of an imaging volume, each detector array comprising a plurality of detector elements, each detector element configured to receive x-ray beams from more than one emitter, and an anti-scatter device configured to be positioned between one or more emitters of the plurality of emitters and an object in the imaging volume.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for reducing vibration in a rotating body of a medical imaging system. In an example, a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) for a medical imaging system includes a mount portion including one or more apertures and adapted to fixedly couple to a mount surface within the imaging system; a sprung portion; and a vibrational tuner, where when the mount portion is mounted to the mount surface and during operation of the imaging system, the sprung portion moves relative to the mount surface, an amount of movement of the sprung portion based at least in part on the vibrational tuner.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a radiation shielding component of an imaging apparatus. In one embodiment, the radiation shielding component may be manufactured by infiltrating metal particles with a binder solution and then curing the binder solution impregnated with the metal particles. In another embodiment, the radiation shielding component may be printed with metal powder, infiltrated with a binding agent, and then cured to polymerize the binding agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring vibrations in an imaging system. In one embodiment, a method for a computed tomography (CT) system includes measuring a vibration level of a rotatable gantry of the CT system with a balance sensor coupled to a stationary housing of the CT system and outputting a notification indicating potential image artifacts based on the vibration level exceeding a vibration threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cooling systems for imaging systems. In one embodiment, a manifold assembly for an imaging system comprises: an intake manifold and a return manifold formed by a plurality of unitary sections, the intake manifold and return manifold positioned adjacent to each other and separated by a shared wall; and a plurality of nozzles, with each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles formed by a corresponding section of the plurality of unitary sections. In this way, an assembly difficulty, expense, and/or manufacturing time of the manifold assembly may be decreased.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring vibrations in an imaging system. In one embodiment, a method for a computed tomography (CT) system includes measuring a vibration level of a rotatable gantry of the CT system with a balance sensor coupled to a stationary housing of the CT system and outputting a notification indicating potential image artifacts based on the vibration level exceeding a vibration threshold.

Abstract: The present approach includes, in one implementation, a direct drive motor for use in a CT gantry and having a segmented motor stator assembly. The stator segments are connected in series. The stator segments are not independently operable and are instead connected in series to, and operated by, a single frequency controller.

Abstract: A tilting head support for use in medical imaging is described. The tilting head support allows a patient to receive the equivalent of a tilted gantry exam study even when using a scanner gantry that does not tilt. In certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly has metallic or sharp edge components, if present, positioned outside the imaging area when in use. In addition, in certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly allows for user selection of a tilt angle from among a continuous range of available angles.

Abstract: The present approach includes, in one implementation, a direct drive motor for use in a CT gantry and having a segmented motor stator assembly. The stator segments are connected in series. The stator segments are not independently operable and are instead connected in series to, and operated by, a single frequency controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integration of a PET detector with a CT gantry are provided. One system includes an x-ray computed tomography (CT) gantry having a rotating portion and a stationary portion within a housing, and including a bore volume therethrough. The system also includes an x-ray source and an x-ray detector coupled to the rotating portion. The system further includes a positron emission tomography (PET) detector, wherein the PET detector is coupled to the stationary portion of the CT gantry, such that the PET detector extends at least partially into the CT gantry with at least a portion of the PET detector within the housing of the CT gantry.

Abstract: A tilting head support for use in medical imaging is described. The tilting head support allows a patient to receive the equivalent of a tilted gantry exam study even when using a scanner gantry that does not tilt. In certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly has metallic or sharp edge components, if present, positioned outside the imaging area when in use. In addition, in certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly allows for user selection of a tilt angle from among a continuous range of available angles.

Abstract: A dual-rate tandem spring system is described. The system may include a higher force spring and a lower force spring. The spring system may comprise gas springs. The spring system may be included in a table system to provide lift or descent assist of objects such as a patient. A damper may be installed in the spring system to provide smooth transition between lower and higher force springs.

Abstract: A dual-rate tandem spring system is described. The system may include a higher force spring and a lower force spring. The spring system may comprise gas springs. The spring system may be included in a table system to provide lift or descent assist of objects such as a patient. A damper may be installed in the spring system to provide smooth transition between lower and higher force springs.