Abstract: An X-ray source system for a CT scanner includes a plurality of X-ray sources, wherein each X-ray source of the plurality is provided with a cathode from which an electron beam is emitted, an anode to receive the electron beam and at least one grid electrode, wherein the grid electrodes are configured to selectably block radiation from said X-ray sources; a high voltage generator for applying voltage to the plurality of X-ray sources, wherein each of the plurality of X-ray sources are configured to present substantially the same load to the high voltage generator; a grid modulator configured to apply voltage to grid electrodes of each of the plurality of X-ray sources in turn; and a controller for controlling the grid modulator so that only one of the plurality of X-ray sources emits radiation at any one time.

Abstract: A CT scanner with scatter correction device and a method for scatter correction are provided. The method comprises positioning shields for shielding some of the CT detector elements from direct X ray radiation, while allowing scattered radiation to arrive at said shielded elements; measuring scatter signals from said shielded elements, indicative of scattered radiation intensity; and correcting for scatter by subtracting scatter intensity values estimated from said measured scatter signals from signals measured by unshielded detector elements.

Abstract: A CT scanner comprises at least one cone beam x-ray source assembly mounted on a gantry frame, the gantry frame rotatable about a rotation axis, the x-ray source assembly operable to emit a cone beam at an orientation with respect to the rotation axis, and a controller operable to adjust an orientation of the cone beam during a rotation cycle of the gantry, wherein the controller adjusts the orientation to radiate a substantially same volume of interest over the rotation cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collimator assembly for a multi-radiation-source medical imaging system (e.g. CT) and a medical imaging system utilizing the collimator. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a collimator assembly including at least two apertures, which apertures are adjustable substantially synchronously by one or more actuators.

Abstract: Apparatus for CT cone beam scanning, comprising: a table for holding a subject; a gantry; a first detector array, having a given number of rows of detector elements spaced along an rotation axis of the gantry, mounted on the gantry; a first plurality of x-ray sources mounted on the gantry for rotation about the patient table on a rotation axis, the number of rows being at least twice the number of sources; and a controller that acquires data responsive to radiation from the sources from the detector array attenuated by at least part of the common volume of the subject irradiated by the plurality of radiation sources.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimally positioning a region of interest of a subject for imaging by a CT scanner. The scanner provides a source of one or more X-ray beams, at least one of which is used for acquiring a CT image of the subject, a movable support for the subject, and a controller that controls the X-ray source. To position the region of interest of the subject, the controller operates to illuminate the subject with X-rays to acquire stereo image data for the region of interest and controls the position of the support responsive to the stereo image data.

Abstract: A CT scanner comprising: a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation: an X-ray source mounted to the rotor having a focal spot from which an X-ray beam emanates; an X-ray detector array comprising a plurality of X-ray detectors for detecting X-rays in the X-ray beam; wherein the detector array has at least one high resolution region in which detectors have a high packing density and at least one low resolution region in which detectors have a low packing density and are separated by X-ray insensitive regions substantially larger than insensitive regions resulting from septa between detectors that function to reduce detector cross talk.

Abstract: A method for calibration of a CT scanner having an x-ray source and a detector having an axial extent in the scanner, the source being rotatable about an epicenter between the source and detector, the method comprising: sequentially positioning a phantom having a non-circular cross section and a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a plurality of positions between the X ray source and detector array of said CT scanner or sequentially positioning a plurality of phantoms each having a non-circular cross section and a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a plurality of positions between the X ray source and detector array of said CT scanner; or sequentially positioning a same phantom having a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a plurality of positions between the X ray source and detector array of said CT scanner or sequentially positioning a plurality of essentially similar phantoms and a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a pluralit

Abstract: The x-ray tube is energized (12) and the myocardium is imaged (16) while contrast agent is infused to the coronary arteries of the subject (14). Single photon counting data acquired with the detector while two thresholds are set to form simultaneously low energy images and high energy images (16). The images are processed (18) and displayed (20).

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for x-ray imaging of a subject that comprises an x ray source emitting a spectrum of radiation of low energy component as well as high energy component to be attenuated by the subject. At least one CR plate adapted to absorb mainly the radiation of low energy component that was attenuated by the subject is provided, wherein low energy x rays image can be attained on the CR plate as well as a DR plate that is adapted to absorb the high energy component, wherein the DR plate is placed further to the CR plate relative to the subject so as to attain image from higher energy x rays. The apparatus is further provided with a processor adapted to process the CR and DR images obtained in a single irradiation of the subject so as to obtain a third combined processed image.

Abstract: An X-ray tube system comprising: at least one filament adapted to produce two electron beams when electrified; at least two anodes spaced from each other along a first direction that each comprises a face that receives an electron beams from the at least one filament at a focal point and produces x-ray cone beams responsive thereto, the x-ray beams being directed in a same direction perpendicular to the first direction; a collimator that collimates the cone beams such that the beams are asymmetric, with the side of each beam distal from the other beam having a smaller beam angle than the side proximal to the other beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for CT cone beam scanning, comprising: a table for holding a subject; a gantry; a first detector array, having a given number of rows of detector elements spaced along an rotation axis of the gantry, mounted on the gantry; a first plurality of x-ray sources mounted on the gantry for rotation about the patient table on a rotation axis, the number of rows being at least twice the number of sources; and a controller that acquires data responsive to radiation from the sources from the detector array attenuated by at least part of the common volume of the subject irradiated by the plurality of radiation sources.

Abstract: A CT scanner with scatter correction device and a method for scatter correction are provided. The method of correcting CT images from artifacts caused by scattered radiation comprises affixing to the non-rotating frame of the CT gantry a plurality of shields for shielding some of the CT detector elements from direct X ray radiation, while allowing scattered radiation to arrive at said shielded elements; measuring scatter signals from said shielded elements, indicative of scattered radiation intensity; and correcting for scatter by subtracting scatter intensity values estimated from said measured scatter signals from signals measured by unshielded detector elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimally positioning a region of interest of a subject for imaging by a CT scanner. The scanner provides a source of one or more X-ray beams, at least one of which is used for acquiring a CT image of the subject, a movable support for the subject, and a controller that controls the X-ray source. To position the region of interest of the subject, the controller operates to illuminate the subject with X-rays to acquire stereo image data for the region of interest and controls the position of the support responsive to the stereo image data.

Abstract: A CT scanner for scanning a subject is provided, the scanner comprising: a gantry capable of rotating about a scanned subject; at least two cone beam X-Ray sources displaced from each other mounted on said gantry; at least one 2D detector array mounted on said gantry, said detector is capable of receiving radiation emitted by said at least two X-Ray sources and attenuated by the subject to be scanned; a first image processor capable of generating and displaying CT images of a volume within the subject; a second image processor capable of generating projection X-Ray images of said volume, wherein the images are responsive to X-Ray separately emitted by each of said at least two cone beam X-Ray sources; and a third image processor capable of generating and displaying fluoroscopic images composed of said projection X-Ray images, wherein said fluoroscopic images are spatially registered to said CT images.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a first X-ray beam source, and a second X-ray beam source. With such an apparatus, first source is used to monitor buildup of an injected contrast agent in a selected region of interest relative to a patient and at least the second source is used to perform diagnostic scanning when the buildup of the contrast agent reaches a desired level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of assessment of relative changes in the cross sectional area of a limb artery. The method includes applying to the artery an external pressure, which causes the cross-sectional area of the artery to change between systole and diastole much more than if the pressure is not applied, determining, over one or more cardiac cycles, a baseline value for a parameter related to the cross-sectional area of the artery, while the pressure is applied, applying a stimulus to the artery, determining, over one or more cardiac cycles, a stimulus-affected value for the parameter related to the cross-sectional area of the artery, while the pressure is applied and while the artery is in a dilated state affected by the stimulus and evaluating the artery based on a comparison of the determined stimulus-affected and baseline values, the baseline value is determined while the artery is substantially not affected by the stimulus.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for x-ray imaging of a subject that comprises an x ray source emitting a spectrum of radiation of low energy component as well as high energy component to be attenuated by the subject. At least one CR plate adapted to absorb mainly the radiation of low energy component that was attenuated by the subject is provided, wherein low energy x rays image can be attained on the CR plate as well as a DR plate that is adapted to absorb the high energy component, wherein the DR plate is placed further to the CR plate relative to the subject so as to attain image from higher energy x rays. The apparatus is further provided with a processor adapted to process the CR and DR images obtained in a single irradiation of the subject so as to obtain a third combined processed image.

Abstract: A multislice CT scanner for imaging a patient comprising: an X-ray source that generates a cone beam of X-rays radiated from a focal spot of the X-ray source wherein the X-ray source is moveable in a rotation plane so as to rotate the focal spot about an axial direction along which the patient is moved to position the patient in a field of view of the scanner; and a detector array comprising a plurality of rows of X-ray detectors that generate signals responsive to X-rays in the cone beam, which signals are used to generate an image of the patient; wherein the cone beam is asymmetric with respect to the rotation plane.

Abstract: The x-ray tube is energized (12) and the myocardium is imaged (16) while contrast agent is infused to the coronary arteries of the subject (14). Single photon counting data acquired with the detector while two thresholds are set to form simultaneously low energy images and high energy images (16). The images are processed (18) and displayed (20).