Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on opposing sides of a primary radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can include first and second gratings having a plurality of attenuating members with a plurality of secondary radiation delivery windows extending between adjacent attenuating members.

Abstract: A method of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging can include repeatedly scanning a target region at a frequency during a session, the frequency initially being a first rate. After detecting an increase of the attenuation of radiation by a contrast-enhanced first structure within a target region, the frequency can be increased to a second rate. After detecting a subsequent decrease in the attenuation, the frequency can be decreased to a third rate.

Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on and bounding opposing sides of a radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can be movable to adjust at least one of a size or a location of the primary radiation delivery window relative a the radiation source in a direction non-parallel to an axis of rotation of the radiation source.

Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on opposing sides of a primary radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can include first and second gratings having a plurality of attenuating members with a plurality of secondary radiation delivery windows extending between adjacent attenuating members.

Abstract: A method of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging can include repeatedly scanning a target region an applied power during a session. The applied power can be a first power for a first scan. After the first scan, the applied power for each of a plurality of scans can be selected based on an algorithm. The algorithm can be based on, for example, the attenuation indicated from a preceding scan in the session.

Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on opposing sides of a primary radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can include first and second gratings having a plurality of attenuating members with a plurality of secondary radiation delivery windows extending between adjacent attenuating members.

Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on and bounding opposing sides of a radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can be movable to adjust at least one of a size or a location of the primary radiation delivery window relative a the radiation source in a direction non-parallel to an axis of rotation of the radiation source.

Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on opposing sides of a primary radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can include first and second gratings having a plurality of attenuating members with a plurality of secondary radiation delivery windows extending between adjacent attenuating members.

Abstract: A method of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging can include repeatedly scanning a target region an applied power during a session. The applied power can be a first power for a first scan. After the first scan, the applied power for each of a plurality of scans can be selected based on an algorithm. The algorithm can be based on, for example, the attenuation indicated from a preceding scan in the session.

Abstract: A method of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging can include repeatedly scanning a target region at a frequency during a session, the frequency initially being a first rate. After detecting an increase of the attenuation of radiation by a contrast-enhanced first structure within a target region, the frequency can be increased to a second rate. After detecting a subsequent decrease in the attenuation, the frequency can be decreased to a third rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography method, in which a periodically moving object, especially a heart, is irradiated by a beam bundle. In that process, intermediate images of one and the same subregion of the object are reconstructed using measured values from time intervals from different periods. That is, in each case exactly one period can be allocated to each intermediate image. The time intervals in the individual periods are adjusted in such a way that, after a reconstruction of the intermediate images using measured values that lie in the adjusted time intervals, a similarity measure applied to the intermediate images of the same subregion is minimized. This method can be applied to one, several or all subregions of the object that are reconstructable using measured values from time intervals from different periods. Finally, a computer tomography image is reconstructed, wherein exclusively measured values from the adjusted time intervals are used.

Abstract: A computed tomography imaging system includes an x ray tube (12, 212) that injects an x ray conebeam into an examination region (14). The x ray tube (12, 212) includes a rotating cylindrical anode (30, 230, 330, 430) having a target outer surface region. The cylindrical anode (30, 230, 330, 430) rotates about a longitudinally aligned cylinder axis (32). Electrons are accelerated toward a selected spot on the target outer surface region of the cylindrical anode (30, 230, 330, 430). Electrostatic or electromagnetic deflectors (64, 68) sweep the selected spot back and forth across the target outer surface region of the cylindrical anode (30, 330, 430). The imaging system further includes a rotating gantry (22) that revolves the x ray tube (12, 212) about the examination region (14) around a rotation axis that is parallel to the cylindrical axis, and an x-ray detector (16) arranged to detect x rays after said x rays pass through the examination region (14).

Abstract: A computed tomography scanner includes a rotating gantry (20) defining an examination region (16). A first radiation source (22) is disposed on the rotating gantry (20) and emits first radiation (32) into the examination region (16). A second radiation source (24) is disposed on the rotating gantry (20) and emits second radiation (36) into the examination region (16). The second radiation source (24) is angularly spaced around the gantry from the first radiation source (22). A first radiation detector (30, 30?) receives the first radiation (32). A center of the first radiation detector (30, 30?) is angularly spaced around the gantry from the first radiation source (22) by less than 180°. A second radiation detector (34) receives the second radiation (36). A center of the second radiation detector (34) is angularly spaced around the gantry from the second radiation source (24) by less than 180°.

Abstract: A helical conebeam computed tomography imaging system includes an x-ray source (12) that produces an x ray conebeam, and an x-ray detector array (16) that detects the x ray conebeam after passing through an examination region (14). The x-ray detector array (16) generates projection data in a detector coordinate system defined with reference to the detector array (16). A derivative processor (60) computes a derivative of the projection data with respect to a helix angle of the helical trajectory at fixed projection direction to generate differentiated projection data. A convolution processor (64) convolves the differentiated projection data with a kernel function to produce filtered projection data. The convolving is performed in the detector coordinate system. A backprojector (42, 82) backprojects the filtered projection data to obtain an image representation.

Abstract: A conebeam computed tomography scanner (10) acquires conebeam projection data along a generally helical source trajectory around an examination region (14). An exact reconstruction processor (40) includes a convolution processor (42) and an aperture weighted backprojection processor (46, 66). The convolution processor (42) performs at least one convolution of the acquired projection data. The convolving operates on projection data falling within an exact reconstruction window (38) and on at least some redundant projection data falling outside the exact reconstruction window (38) to produce convolved projection data.

Abstract: A cardiac gated spiral CT scanner (10) has a source of penetrating radiation (20) arranged for rotation about an examination region (14) having a central axis extending in a z direction. The source (20) emits a beam of radiation (22) that passes through the examination region (14) as the source (20) rotates. A patient support (30) holds a patient within the examination region (14) and translates the patient through the examination region (14) in the z direction while this source (20) is rotated such that the source (20) follows a helical path relative to the patient. A control processor (90) implements a patient-specific scan protocol in response to measured patient characteristics (for example, the patient's heart rate, the patient's breath hold time, and/or the range of coverage in the z direction based on the patient's anatomy) and scanner characteristics (for example, the number of detector rings, and/or the scan rate).