Abstract: An X-ray system comprises an assembly that is moveable to different scan coordinates to acquire X-ray projection images at the different scan coordinates in a dynamic mode while the assembly is moving. The assembly is also moveable to a predetermined reference coordinate to acquire an X-ray projection image at the predetermined reference coordinate in a static mode while the assembly is resting. The X-ray system also comprises a processor configured to obtain dynamic gain calibration parameters from the X-ray projection images acquired in the dynamic mode at one of the different scan coordinates; obtain a static gain calibration parameter from the X-ray projection image acquired in the static mode at the predetermined reference coordinate; and determine adjusted dynamic gain calibration parameters.

Abstract: Abstract: An X-ray system (1, 10) for imaging and a gain calibration method are disclosed. An assembly (4, 14) of the system is moveable to different scan coordinates to acquire X-ray projection images at a plurality of said scan coordinates in a dynamic mode while the assembly is moving. The assembly is also moveable to a predetermined reference coordinate to acquire an X-ray projection image at said reference coordinate in a static mode while the assembly is resting. At least one processing unit (5), comprised by the X-ray system, is configured for receiving a plurality of dynamic gain calibration parameters as first inputs, for obtaining a static gain calibration parameter as a second input and for determining a plurality of adjusted dynamic gain calibration parameters. Each dynamic gain calibration parameter is obtained from an X-ray projection image acquired in the dynamic mode at one of the scan coordinates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining a control protocol for controlling a C-arm system comprising a radiation source. The control protocol comprises a sequence of roll angles and a sequence of propeller angles. The apparatus comprises a tilt plane providing unit for providing a tilt plane tilted with respect to a vertical plane, and a control protocol determining unit for determining a control protocol by determining the sequence of roll angles and the sequence of propeller angles such that the radiation source follows a trajectory that comprises a circular component in the tilt plane and that allows the C-arm system to acquire projection data for image reconstruction. The apparatus allows to acquire computed images, for instance tomographic images, with an improved quality and to reduce radiation in radiation-sensitive areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling a position of an anti-scatter grid in an X-ray image acquisition system, the device (10) comprising: a measurement unit (12); a control unit (14); and a shifting unit (16); wherein the measurement unit (12) is configured to determine an X-ray beam focus position (37) of an X-ray radiation source of the X-ray image acquisition system with respect to an X-ray detector of the X-ray image acquisition system; wherein the control unit (14) is configured to generate a shifting signal based on a displacement (18) between the X-ray beam focus position (37) and a grid focus position (35) of the anti-scatter grid; and wherein, based on the shifting signal, the shifting unit (16) is configured to shift an anti-scatter grid of the X-ray image acquisition system in at least one direction to align the anti-scatter grid with the X-ray beam focus position (37), provides an improved anti-scatter grid for X-ray acquisition systems.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a beam shaping filter (1) for use in a cone beam computed tomography system. The filter comprises a radiation attenuating element for positioning between an x-ray source of the cone beam computed tomography system and an object to be imaged. The radiation attenuation as function of position in at least a part (2) of the radiation attenuating element is rotationally symmetric with respect to a point of rotational symmetry (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling a position of an anti-scatter grid in an X-ray image acquisition system, the device (10) comprising: a measurement unit (12); a control unit (14); and a shifting unit (16); wherein the measurement unit (12) is configured to determine an X-ray beam focus position (37) of an X-ray radiation source of the X-ray image acquisition system with respect to an X-ray detector of the X-ray image acquisition system; wherein the control unit (14) is configured to generate a shifting signal based on a displacement (18) between the X-ray beam focus position (37) and a grid focus position (35) of the anti-scatter grid; and wherein, based on the shifting signal, the shifting unit (16) is configured to shift an anti-scatter grid of the X-ray image acquisition system in at least one direction to align the anti-scatter grid with the X-ray beam focus position (37), provides an improved anti-scatter grid for X-ray acquisition systems.

Abstract: Imaging system (100) for enabling instrument guidance in an interventional procedure, comprising: —an input (130) for obtaining an interventional path (220) for use in the interventional procedure, the interventional path being planned based on 3D image data (200) of a patient's interior, and the interventional path being indicative of an entry point (230) on the patient's exterior; —a camera (124-127) for obtaining a camera image (270) of the patient's exterior during the interventional procedure; —a processor (140) for i) establishing a spatial correspondence between the camera image and the 3D image data, ii) based on the spatial correspondence, calculating a view (280) of the interventional path that corresponds with the camera image, and iii) combining the view of the interventional path with the camera image to obtain a composite image (290); and —a display output (150) for displaying the composite image on a display (162).

Abstract: Imaging system (100) for enabling instrument guidance in an interventional procedure, comprising: —an input (130) for obtaining an interventional path (220) for use in the interventional procedure, the interventional path being planned based on 3D image data (200) of a patient's interior, and the interventional path being indicative of an entry point (230) on the patient's exterior; —a camera (124-127) for obtaining a camera image (270) of the patient's exterior during the interventional procedure; —a processor (140) for i) establishing a spatial correspondence between the camera image and the 3D image data, ii) based on the spatial correspondence, calculating a view (280) of the interventional path that corresponds with the camera image, and iii) combining the view of the interventional path with the camera image to obtain a composite image (290); and —a display output (150) for displaying the composite image on a display (162).

Abstract: For acquiring an image of a moving region of interest of an object, a corresponding X-ray image acquisition apparatus may include a semitransparent X-ray transmitting device comprised in a collimator which is positioned within a beam of irradiating X-rays thereby at least partly shielding regions on a surface of a detector. After acquiring an X-ray image by detecting X-rays transmitted through the object, the position of the device is automatically adjusted based on image information included in the at least partly shielded region on the detector surface. Taking into account X-ray absorption properties of the device, a virtual image may be calculated, the virtual image corresponding to an X-ray image as if there was no X-ray absorption within the collimator. From this virtual image, the region of interest may be derived, and wedges of said device may be positioned to continuously follow the region of interest.

Abstract: A method of acquiring an X-ray image of a region of interest of an object as well as a corresponding X-ray image acquisition device are described. A semitransparent X-ray transmitting device 11 comprised in a collimator 9 is positioned within a beam 35 of irradiating X-rays thereby at least partly shielding regions 17 on a detector surface 15 of a detector 5. After acquiring an X-ray image by detecting X-rays transmitted through the object 13, the position of the semitransparent X-ray transmitting device 11 is automatically adjusted based on image information included in the at least partly shielded region 17 on the detector surface 15. Taking into account X-ray absorption properties of the semitransparent X-ray transmitting device 11, a virtual image may be calculated within an analyzing unit 23 of a control device 7 wherein the virtual image corresponds to an X-ray image as if there was no X-ray absorption within the collimator 9.

Abstract: Mirror blood vessel as overlay on total occlusion According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, opening of a total occlusion in a blood vessel is, in case of the availability of a mirror blood vessel, based on the overlay of the mirror vessel on the occluded blood vessel. The blood vessel may be visualised with X-ray and contrast agent.