Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining vascular velocity using non-invasively acquired medical images. The method includes reconstructing CT angiography (CTA) data into a plurality of images of the subject by producing a composite image using the CTA data corresponding to a set of the plurality of view angles, backprojecting each view angle in the CTA data and weighting a value backprojected into at image pixel by an attenuation value of a corresponding pixel in the composite image, and summing backprojected values for each image pixel to produce a CT image of the subject. The method also includes determining a flow direction or a velocity of flow within a vessel, calculating, using the flow direction or velocity, a pressure in the vessel, and generating a quantitative map of the subject indicating the flow direction, velocity, or pressure in the vessel against an image of the subject including the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating arterial flow information can include a processor generating a time attenuation sequence for each point of a pair of points along a segment of a coronary artery structure. The processor can determine the arterial flow velocity between the pair of points using the distance between the pair of points and the difference between average transit times associated with the pair of points. The one or more processors can determine the average transit times across the same time window. The processor can determine the arterial flow velocity between the pair of points using the distance between the pair of points and the difference between a first time duration that a number of particles take to pass by a first point of the pair of points and a second time duration that the number of particles take to pass by the other point.

Abstract: An X-ray filter can include a curved structure for positioning around a computed tomography (CT) bore of a CT scanner. The curved structure can be formed of a metal capable of blocking X-rays emitted by an X-ray source of the CT scanner. The curved structure can include two or more apertures. Each aperture of the two or more apertures can allow X-rays emitted by the X-ray source to enter the CT bore when the X-ray source is aligned with the aperture. The X-ray filter can include an opening, arranged opposite to the two or more apertures across the CT bore, for exposing an X-ray detector of the CT scanner to X-rays emitted by the X-ray source and entering the CT bore through at least one of the two or more apertures. The CT scanner can include the X-ray filter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating time resolved series of angiographic volume data having flow information integrated therewith. The method includes generating a series of 3D time-resolved vascular volumes from time resolved x-ray projection data and calculating blood velocity in the vascular volumes x-ray projection data to determine a rate of change of calculated contrast material arrival time at positions along the vascular volumes. The method also includes displaying the 3D time-resolved vascular volumes with a graphical indication of blood velocity in the vascular volumes.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining vascular velocity using non-invasively acquired medical images. The method includes reconstructing CT angiography (CTA) data into a plurality of images of the subject by producing a composite image using the CTA data corresponding to a set of the plurality of view angles, backprojecting each view angle in the CTA data and weighting a value backprojected into at image pixel by an attenuation value of a corresponding pixel in the composite image, and summing backprojected values for each image pixel to produce a CT image of the subject. The method also includes determining a flow direction or a velocity of flow within a vessel, calculating, using the flow direction or velocity, a pressure in the vessel, and generating a quantitative map of the subject indicating the flow direction, velocity, or pressure in the vessel against an image of the subject including the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating arterial flow information can include a processor generating a time attenuation sequence for each point of a pair of points along a segment of a coronary artery structure. The processor can determine the arterial flow velocity between the pair of points using the distance between the pair of points and the difference between average transit times associated with the pair of points. The one or more processors can determine the average transit times across the same time window. The processor can determine the arterial flow velocity between the pair of points using the distance between the pair of points and the difference between a first time duration that a number of particles take to pass by a first point of the pair of points and a second time duration that the number of particles take to pass by the other point.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating quantitative computed tomography (CT) angiographic images using imaging systems that acquire a set of projection views forming CT angiographic image data of a patient using a projection duration of less than 50 milliseconds. The method may include producing a composite image from the CT angiographic image data that indicates an attenuation value at each composite image pixel of the patient, backprojecting each projection view in the CT angiographic image data and weighting a value backprojected into at image pixel by an attenuation value of a corresponding pixel in the composite image and summing backprojected values for each image pixel to produce a CT image of the patient. The method may further include performing a scatter correction and determining at least one of a flow direction or a velocity of flow with a vessel in the patient to provide the quantitative CT angiographic images.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating quantitative computed tomography (CT) angiographic images using imaging systems that acquire a set of projection views forming CT angiographic image data of a patient using a projection duration of less than 50 milliseconds. The method may include producing a composite image from the CT angiographic image data that indicates an attenuation value at each composite image pixel of the patient, backprojecting each projection view in the CT angiographic image data and weighting a value backprojected into at image pixel by an attenuation value of a corresponding pixel in the composite image and summing backprojected values for each image pixel to produce a CT image of the patient. The method may further include performing a scatter correction and determining at least one of a flow direction or a velocity of flow with a vessel in the patient to provide the quantitative CT angiographic images.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating time resolved series of angiographic volume data having flow information. The system and method are configured to receive angiographic volume data acquired from a subject having received a dose of a contrast agent using an imaging system and process the angiographic volume data to generate angiographic volume images. The angiographic volume data is processed to derive flow information by determining a distance between two points along a vessel in the angiographic volume images and determining a phase at each of the two points along the vessel in the angiographic volume images. A flow direction or a velocity of flow within the vessel is determined using the distance between the two points along the vessel and the phase at each of the two points along the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for medical imaging that includes acquiring, during a common imaging acquisition process, rotational, x-ray volume image data and x-ray tomosynthesis image data from a subject. The method includes reconstructing a time-resolved three-dimensional (3D) image volume from the rotational, x-ray volume image data and producing a four-dimensional (4D) image series of the subject with resolved overlapping features by selectively combining the time-resolved 3D image volume and the x-ray tomosynthesis imaging data.

Abstract: A method for creating an energy series of images acquired using a multi-energy computed tomography (CT) imaging system having a plurality of energy bins includes acquiring, with the multi-energy CT imaging system, a series of energy data sets, where each energy data set is associated with at least one of the energy bins. The method includes producing a conglomerate image using at least a plurality of the energy data sets and, using the conglomerate image, reconstructing an energy series of images, each image in the energy series of images corresponding to at least one of the energy data sets.

Abstract: A method for creating an energy series of images acquired using a multi-energy computed tomography (CT) imaging system having a plurality of energy bins includes acquiring, with the multi-energy CT imaging system, a series of energy data sets, where each energy data set is associated with at least one of the energy bins. The method includes producing a conglomerate image using at least a plurality of the energy data sets and, using the conglomerate image, reconstructing an energy series of images, each image in the energy series of images corresponding to at least one of the energy data sets.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for medical imaging that includes acquiring, during a common imaging acquisition process, rotational, x-ray volume image data and x-ray tomosynthesis image data from a subject. The method includes reconstructing a time-resolved three-dimensional (3D) image volume from the rotational, x-ray volume image data and producing a four-dimensional (4D) image series of the subject with resolved overlapping features by selectively combining the time-resolved 3D image volume and the x-ray tomosynthesis imaging data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating time resolved series of angiographic volume data having flow information. The system and method are configured to receive angiographic volume data acquired from a subject having received a dose of a contrast agent using an imaging system and process the angiographic volume data to generate angiographic volume images. The angiographic volume data is processed to derive flow information by determining a distance between two points along a vessel in the angiographic volume images and determining a phase at each of the two points along the vessel in the angiographic volume images. A flow direction or a velocity of flow within the vessel is determined using the distance between the two points along the vessel and the phase at each of the two points along the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating time resolved series of angiographic volume data having flow information integrated therewith. The method includes generating a series of 3D time-resolved vascular volumes from time resolved x-ray projection data and calculating blood velocity in the vascular volumes x-ray projection data to determine a rate of change of calculated contrast material arrival time at positions along the vascular volumes. The method also includes displaying the 3D time-resolved vascular volumes with a graphical indication of blood velocity in the vascular volumes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a time resolved series of time and energy subtracted 3D volume reconstructions, e.g., using a switched dual energy C-Arm type X-ray imaging system or a bi-plane type X-ray imaging system.