Abstract: An X-ray imager has a navigation-aid subsystem including one or more transmitters (TX), one or more receivers (RX) and one or more reflectors (RFL). A radio signal is transmitted by transmitter (TX), is then reflected off reflector RFL and is then received at receiver (RX). The received signal is then resolved into positional correction information that can be used to guide a motion of the imager's tube (S) and or detector (D) to position and/or align the tube (S) and/or detector (D) relative to each other in a desired spatial configuration to ensure optimal imaging results. The imager may be a mobile imaging system with the detector (D) portable.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus for image acquisition and a related method. The apparatus comprises a field-of-view corrector (CS) configured to receive a scout image (SI) acquired by the imager with a tentative collimator setting in a pre-shot imaging phase where said imager operates with a low dosage radiation cone causing the detector to register the scout image. The low dosage cone has, in the detector's image plane, a first cross section smaller than the total area of the detector surface. The field-of-view corrector (CS) uses said scout image to establish field-of-view correction information for a subsequent imaging phase where the imager is to operate with a high dosage radiation cone, the high dosage higher than the low dosage.

Abstract: An apparatus (130) and method for automatically or semi-automatically controlling a collimator (COL) of an x-ray imager (100) to collimate imager (100)'s x-ray beam and adjusting an alignment of the x-ray imager (100) in respect of an object (PAT). The collimation and alignment operation is based on 3D image data (3DI) of the object (PAT) to be imaged. The 3D image data (3DI) is acquired by a sensor (S). The sensor (S) operates on non-ionizing radiation. The 3D image data (3DI) describes a shape in 3D of the object (PAT) and anatomic landmarks are derived therefrom to define a collimation window (W) for a region of interest (ROI). Based on the collimation window (W) the collimator (COL)'s setting and imager (100) alignment is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acquisition of medical image information of an object. In order to provide a user-friendly alignment of X-ray tube and a detector, optionally combined with an anti-scatter grid, an alignment arrangement is proposed, which comprises a tube attachment with a first light projection device and a detector attachment with a second light projection device. The first and second light projection devices each generate a light pattern on a projection surface. The tube attachment and the detector attachment can be brought into a correct spatial arrangement relative to each other by bringing the first light pattern in a predetermined spatial relation with the second light pattern on the projection surface.

Abstract: An X-ray imager having a navigation-aid subsystem including one or more transmitters (TX), one or more receivers (RX) and one or more reflectors (RFL). A radio signal is transmitted by transmitter(TX), is then reflected off reflector RFL and is then received at receiver (RX). The received signal is then resolved into positional correction information that can be used to guide a motion of the imager's tube (S) and or detector (D) to position and/or align the tube (S) and/or detector (D) relative to each other in a desired spatial configuration to ensure optimal imaging results. The imager may be a mobile imaging system with the detector (D) portable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acquisition of medical image information of an object. In order to provide a user-friendly alignment of X-ray tube (18) and a detector (24), optionally combined with an anti-scatter grid, an alignment arrangement (200) is proposed, which comprises a tube attachment (26) with a first light projection device (28) and a detector attachment (34) with a second light projection device (36). The first and second light projection devices each generate a light pattern (30, 38) on a projection surface (32). The tube attachment (26) and the detector attachment (34) can be brought into a correct spatial arrangement relative to each other by bringing the first light pattern in a predetermined spatial relation with the second light pattern (38) on the projection surface.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus for image acquisition and a related method. The apparatus comprises a field-of-view corrector (CS) configured to receive a scout image (SI) acquired by the imager with a tentative collimator setting in a pre-shot imaging phase where said imager operates with a low dosage radiation cone causing the detector to register the scout image. The low dosage cone has, in the detector's image plane, a first cross section smaller than the total area of the detector surface. The field-of-view corrector (CS) uses said scout image to establish field-of-view correction information for a subsequent imaging phase where the imager is to operate with a high dosage radiation cone, the high dosage higher than the low dosage.

Abstract: An apparatus (130) and method for automatically or semi-automatically controlling a collimator (COL) of an x-ray imager (100) to collimate imager (100)'s x-ray beam and adjusting an alignment of the x-ray imager (100) in respect of an object (PAT). The collimation and alignment operation is based on 3D image data (3DI) of the object (PAT) to be imaged. The 3D image data (3DI) is acquired by a sensor (S). The sensor (S) operates on non-ionizing radiation. The 3D image data (3DI) describes a shape in 3D of the object (PAT) and anatomic landmarks are derived therefrom to define a collimation window (W) for a region of interest (ROI). Based on the collimation window (W) the collimator (COL)'s setting and imager (100) alignment is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A device for determining the position of a medical instrument that is introduced into an object to be examined is also used for imaging the vicinity of the medical instrument. In order to enable the acquisition of instantaneous position information and image information from the vicinity of the medical instrument for all kinds of medical instruments, a localization device that is arranged in the end zone of the medical instrument that is to be introduced determines the position of the medical instrument within the object to be examined; at the same time image information is acquired in the vicinity of the medical instrument by an image acquisition device that is arranged on the medical instrument and on the basis of the position thus determined the position of the medical instrument (3) is reproduced in a survey image of the object to be examined and images of the vicinity of the object to be examined are displayed on the basis of the image information acquired.

Abstract: An MR imaging method wherein motion of an object to be imaged is examined during a preparation phase preceding the actual MR examination. The necessary sequences for the subsequent MR examination are modified during the examination to compensate for the motion based on motion parameters calculated during the preparation phase or motion parameters derived from the motion parameters calculated during the preparation phase based on a correlation between the motion parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the position of a medical instrument (3) that is introduced into an object (1) to be examined and for imaging the vicinity of the medical instrument (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR method where the motion of an object to be imaged is examined during a preparation phase preceding the actual MR examination and where the necessary sequences for the subsequent MR examination are modified during such examination in such a manner that the motion is compensated.