Abstract: Imaging apparatuses described herein include a radiation source configured for imaging radiation, a radiation detector positioned to receive radiation from the radiation source, and an image processing system. The image processing system is configured to: receive projection data from the radiation detector, the projection data corresponding to a scan field-of-view (scanFOV), the image being trans-axially truncated; identify a final reconstruction field-of-view (reconFOV) that is larger than the scanFOV; reconstruct an image having a reconstruction field-of-view (reconFOVn), wherein reconFOVn is less than reconFOV; generate a progressive refinement for the image; reproject the image with the progressive refinement thereby generating a virtual scan vscanFOVn; refine the virtual scan vscanFOVn data; and repeat the reconstruction, generation of the progressive refinement, and reprojection for one or more subsequent reconstructions until reconFOV is reached.

Abstract: A system for the online sorting of ore samples based on mineralogy analysis includes a conveyor moving a stream of the ore samples along a conveying path, a LIBS module, a height measuring device, a focus controller and an airflow system. The LIBS module projects a LIBS laser beam along an optical path focused on an analysis spot of dimensions of the order of one or a few mineral components of the ore samples, and collects a returning LIBS light signal. The height measuring device and focus controller collaborate to adjust in real-time the focus of the LIBS laser beam to move the analysis spot perpendicularly to the conveyor according to a height of the ore samples crossing the optical path. The air flow system moves particles away from the optical path. A processing unit performs the mineralogy analysis of the ore sample based on the LIBS light signal.

Abstract: Saturation in at least one saturated ray is in a method including identifying a saturated ray corresponding to a first ray of a radiation source received at a radiation detector after passing through a reference point during a current view of the radiation detector, identifying at least one non-saturated ray corresponding to a second ray of the radiation source received at the radiation detector, and responsive to the identifying, adjusting a value for the saturated ray based on a value of the at least one non-saturated ray. The non-saturated ray can be a ray from an adjacent view of a current rotation, an adjacent view of a previous or subsequent rotation, or a conjugate ray. Methods of selecting a gain level to avoid saturation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus having a support frame supports a tray actuation means, a pick up means and a conveyor assembly for feeding a transplanter with viable plants from a multi-celled tray. The tray actuation means is configured to move the multi-celled tray along the support frame. The pick up means is configured to pick up the viable plants by their foliage from the multi-celled tray and leaving non-viable plants therein. The conveyor assembly includes receptacles for receiving one viable plant from the pick up means, and at least one sensor for detecting empty receptacles. A controller cooperatively operates the tray actuation means, the pick up means, and the conveyor assembly in order to skip empty receptacles for ensuring continuous feeding of the transplanter with viable plants. A gripper for picking up plants by their foliage. A method for continuously feeding the transplanter with viable plants.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing entities, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include retrieving a base image associated with at least one software application; generating a customized base image based at least in part on conducting at least one operational verification operation on the base image; generating a validated base image based at least in part on conducting at least one operational testing operation on the customized base image; generating a release note data object associated with the validated base image; and performing one or more image release operations by releasing the validated base image and the release note data object to at least one client system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a treatment apparatus. The treatment apparatus includes a rotatable gantry system positioned at least partially around a patient support and a first source of radiation coupled to the rotatable gantry system. The first source of radiation is configured to emit imaging x-ray radiation after pausing for a time interval between periodic emissions. The apparatus further includes a radiation detector configured to receive x-ray radiation from the first radiation source and generate tomographic data from the received radiation. The radiation detector is subject to a transient effect caused by at least one of polarization and charge trapping. The time interval is sufficiently long for the transient effect to substantially dissipate.

Abstract: A system for the online sorting of ore samples based on mineralogy analysis includes a conveyor moving a stream of the ore samples along a conveying path, a LIBS module, a height measuring device, a focus controller and an airflow system. The LIBS module projects a LIBS laser beam along an optical path focused on an analysis spot of dimensions of the order of one or a few mineral components of the ore samples, and collects a returning LIBS light signal. The height measuring device and focus controller collaborate to adjust in real-time the focus of the LIBS laser beam to move the analysis spot perpendicularly to the conveyor according to a height of the ore samples crossing the optical path. The air flow system moves particles away from the optical path. A processing unit performs the mineralogy analysis of the ore sample based on the LIBS light signal.

Abstract: A multimodal imaging apparatus, comprising a rotatable gantry system positioned at least partially around a patient support, a first source of radiation coupled to the rotatable gantry system, the first source of radiation configured for imaging radiation, a second source of radiation coupled to the rotatable gantry system, the second source of radiation configured for at least one of imaging radiation or therapeutic radiation, wherein the second source of radiation has an energy level more than the first source of radiation, and a second radiation detector coupled to the rotatable gantry system and positioned to receive radiation from the second source of radiation, and a processor configured to combine first measured projection data based on the radiation detected by the first detector with second measured projection data based on the radiation detected by the second detector, and reconstruct an image based on the combined data, wherein the reconstructing comprises at least one of correcting the second meas

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging system including a first x-ray source configured to produce first x-ray photons in a first energy range suitable for imaging, project the first x-ray photons onto an area designated for imaging, a rotatable gantry configured to rotate the first x-ray source such that the first x-ray source traverses an angular path, and a data processor having an analytical portion. The analytical portion is configured to collect first data relating to the transmission of the first x-ray photons through the area designated for imaging at a set of image-collection angles along the angular path, collect background data at a set of background-collection angles along the angular path, wherein the system acquires more than one image of the designated area for imaging between background angles. The analytical portion is also configured to remove errors in the first data using the background data, and generate a corrected image based on the removal of errors in the first data.

Abstract: Saturation in at least one saturated ray is in a method including identifying a saturated ray corresponding to a first ray of a radiation source received at a radiation detector after passing through a reference point during a current view of the radiation detector, identifying at least one non-saturated ray corresponding to a second ray of the radiation source received at the radiation detector, and responsive to the identifying, adjusting a value for the saturated ray based on a value of the at least one non-saturated ray. The non-saturated ray can be a ray from an adjacent view of a current rotation, an adjacent view of a previous or subsequent rotation, or a conjugate ray. Methods of selecting a gain level to avoid saturation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A radio therapy system includes a first x-ray source. The first x-ray source is configured to produce first x-ray photons in a first energy range suitable for imaging and project the first x-ray photons onto an area designated for imaging. The system includes a second x-ray source configured to produce second x-ray photons in a second energy range higher energy than the first energy range, produce third x-ray photons in a third energy range higher energy than the first energy range, project the second x-ray photons onto the area designated for imaging, and project the third x-ray photons onto an area designated for treatment. The system includes an analytical portion configured to collect and combine data to create a composite output including at least one image, the combining based in part on a spectral analysis.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to execute multi-pass imaging scans for improved quality and workflow. An imaging scan can be segmented into multiple passes that are faster than the full imaging scan. Data received by an initial scan pass can be utilized early in the workflow and of sufficient quality for treatment setup, including while the another scan pass is executed to generate data needed for higher quality images, which may be needed for treatment planning. In one embodiment, a data acquisition and reconstruction technique is used when the detector is offset in the channel and/or axial direction for a large FOV during multiple passes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging system including a first x-ray source configured to produce first x-ray photons in a first energy range suitable for imaging, project the first x-ray photons onto an area designated for imaging, a rotatable gantry configured to rotate the first x-ray source such that the first x-ray source traverses an angular path, and a data processor having an analytical portion. The analytical portion is configured to collect first data relating to the transmission of the first x-ray photons through the area designated for imaging at a set of image-collection angles along the angular path, collect background data at a set of background-collection angles along the angular path, wherein the system acquires more than one image of the designated area for imaging between background angles. The analytical portion is also configured to remove errors in the first data using the background data, and generate a corrected image based on the removal of errors in the first data.

Abstract: Electromagnetic waves for an accelerating structure of the radiation delivery system are generated by a microwave source. The electromagnetic waves generated by the microwave source are adjusted by an energy adjuster to an imaging energy level. A kilovolt (kV) imaging beam is generated by the accelerating structure based on the imaging energy level. The electromagnetic waves generated by the magnetic source are adjusted by the energy adjuster to a treatment energy level. A megavolt (MV) treatment beam is generated by the accelerating structure based on the treatment energy level.

Abstract: A radio therapy system includes a first x-ray source. The first x-ray source is configured to produce first x-ray photons in a first energy range suitable for imaging and project the first x-ray photons onto an area designated for imaging. The system includes a second x-ray source configured to produce second x-ray photons in a second energy range higher energy than the first energy range, produce third x-ray photons in a third energy range higher energy than the first energy range, project the second x-ray photons onto the area designated for imaging, and project the third x-ray photons onto an area designated for treatment. The system includes an analytical portion configured to collect and combine data to create a composite output including at least one image, the combining based in part on a spectral analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus having a support frame supports a tray actuation means, a pick up means and a conveyor assembly for feeding a transplanter with viable plants from a multi-celled tray is disclosed. The tray actuation means is configured to move the multi-celled tray along the support frame. The pick up means is configured to pick up the viable plants by their foliage from the multi-celled tray and leaving non-viable plants therein. The conveyor assembly includes receptacles for receiving one viable plant from the pick up means, and at least one sensor for detecting empty receptacles. A controller cooperatively operates the tray actuation means, the pick up means, and the conveyor assembly in order to skip empty receptacles for ensuring continuous feeding of the transplanter with viable plants. A gripper for picking up plants by their foliage is disclosed. A method for continuously feeding the transplanter with viable plants is disclosed.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to execute multi-pass imaging scans for improved quality and workflow. An imaging scan can be segmented into multiple passes that are faster than the full imaging scan. Data received by an initial scan pass can be utilized early in the workflow and of sufficient quality for treatment setup, including while the another scan pass is executed to generate data needed for higher quality images, which may be needed for treatment planning. In one embodiment, a data acquisition and reconstruction technique is used when the detector is offset in the channel and/or axial direction for a large FOV during multiple passes.

Abstract: Multimodal imaging apparatus and methods include a rotatable gantry system with multiple sources of radiation comprising different energy levels (for example, kV and MV). Fast slip-ring technology and helical scans allow data from multiple sources of radiation to be combined or utilized to generate improved images and workflows, including for IGRT. Features include large field-of-view (LFOV) MV imaging, kV region-of-interest (ROI) imaging, and scalable field-of-view (SFOV) dual energy imaging.

Abstract: A radiotherapy delivery device is provided. The device includes a source of therapeutic radiation and a first detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of therapeutic radiation. The device also includes a source of imaging radiation and a second detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of imaging radiation. A collimator assembly is positioned relative to the second source of radiation to selectively control a shape of a radiation beam emitted by the second radiation source to selectively expose part or the whole of the second radiation detector. A reconstruction processor can be operatively coupled to the detector and configured to generate patient images based on radiation received by the second detector from the second source of radiation. The device is configured to move from one imaging geometry to another using all or part of the second detector.

Abstract: A method of scanning parameter optimization, which method may be useful with image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), allows for controlling exposure of a beam from an x-ray source and/or controlling the detection mechanism for an x-ray detector of imaging radiation of a radiation-delivery device based on one or more parameters of a region of interest of a patient. The one or more parameters of the region of interest may include a dimension, outer contour, density, location relative to an outlet of the beam, location relative to isocenter, location to the whole patient body, etc. Exposure of the patient to the beam may be varied via modulation of one or more scanning parameters for controlling an aspect of the beam and/or the detector to provide for targeted and or reduced radiation exposure of the patient or portion of the patient, and/or for improved quality of guiding images. The modulation may be varied depending on a view angle of the region of interest from a portion of the radiation-delivery device.