Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration in X-ray phase contrast imaging. In order to remove the disturbance due to individual gain factors, a calibration filter grating (10) for a slit-scanning X-ray phase contrast imaging arrangement is provided that comprises a first plurality of filter segments (11) comprising a filter material (12) and a second plurality of opening segments (13). The filter segments and the opening segments are arranged alternating as a filter pattern (15). The filter material is made from a material with structural elements (14) comprising structural parameters in the micrometer region. The filter grating is movably arranged between an X-ray source grating (54) and an analyzer grating (60) of an interferometer unit in a slit-scanning system of a phase contrast imaging arrangement. The slit-scanning system is provided with a pre-collimator (55) comprising a plurality of bars (57) and slits (59). The filter pattern is aligned with the pre-collimator pattern (61).

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection values processing apparatus. Energy-dependent detection values are provided, which are indicative of polychromatic radiation (4) after having traversed an examination zone (5). The radiation is filtered by a filter (15) which comprises K-edge filter material. A component decomposition technique is applied to the detection values for determining K-edge attenuation values being first component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by the K-edge filter material, and additional component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by additional components of the examination zone, wherein an image of the examination zone is reconstructed from the additional component attenuation values. An image can therefore be reconstructed, which is not adversely affected by the filter, because the K-edge attenuation values are not used for reconstructing the image. This can improve the quality of the reconstructed image.

Abstract: An X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging system has three circular gratings. The circular gratings are aligned with the optical axis of the radiation beam and a phase stepping is performed along the optical axis with the focal spot, the phase grating and/or the absorber grating. The signal measured is the phase-gradient in radial direction away from the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates handling misalignment in an X-ray imaging system for differential phase contrast imaging. In order to provide a reduction for the pretuning and adjustment requirements for manufacture and maintenance in a differential phase contrast imaging system, an X-ray imaging system (10) for differential phase contrast imaging, is provided that comprises a differential phase contrast setup (12) with an X-ray source (14) and an X-ray detector (16), a grating arrangement (18) comprising a source grating (20), a phase grating (22) and an analyser grating (24), wherein the source grating is arranged between the X-ray source and the phase grating, and the analyser grating is arranged between the phase grating and the detector. Further, a moving arrangement for a relative movement between an object under examination and at least one of the gratings is provided, as well as a processing unit (32), and a translation arrangement (34) for translating the source grating.

Abstract: An X-ray image acquisition apparatus employing phase-contrast imaging with enlarged field of view includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector element having a detector size, a beam splitter grating and an analyzer grating. An object is arrangeable between the X-ray source and detector. The beam splitter grating and the analyzer grating are arrangeable between the X-ray source and detector. The X-ray source, the beam splitter grating, the analyzer grating and the X-ray detector are operatively coupled such that a phase-contrast image of the object is obtainable. The apparatus is configure to acquire a phase-contrast image having a field of view larger than the detector size. The X-ray detector element is displaceable where, by the displacement of the X-ray detector, a phase-contrast image of the enlarged field of view is obtainable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection values processing apparatus. Energy-dependent detection values are provided, which are indicative of polychromatic radiation (4) after having traversed an examination zone (5). The radiation is filtered by a filter (15) which comprises K-edge filter material. A component decomposition technique is applied to the detection values for determining K-edge attenuation values being first component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by the K-edge filter material, and additional component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by additional components of the examination zone, wherein an image of the examination zone is reconstructed from the additional component attenuation values. An image can therefore be reconstructed, which is not adversely affected by the filter, because the K-edge attenuation values are not used for reconstructing the image. This can improve the quality of the reconstructed image.

Abstract: A method and a device for analyzing a region of interest in an object is proposed. The method comprises: (a) providing measurement data by a differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system, and (b) analyzing characteristics of the object in the region of interest. Therein, the measurement data comprise a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional set of pixels wherein for each pixel the measurement data comprises three types of image data spatially aligned with each other, including (i) absorption representing image data A, (ii) differential phase contrast representing image data D, and (iii) coherence representing image data C. The analyzing step is based, for each pixel, on a combination of at least two of information comprised in the absorption representing image data A and information comprised in the differential phase contrast representing image data D and information comprised in the coherence representing image data C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray image acquisition technology in general. Employing phase-contrast imaging for X-ray image acquisition may significantly enhance the quality and information content of images acquired. However, phase-contrast information may only be obtainable in a small detector region, possibly being too small for a sufficient field of rotation view for specialized X-ray imaging applications. Accordingly, an apparatus for phase-contrast imaging is provided that may allow the acquisition of an enlarged field of view. According to the present invention an apparatus (1) for phase-contrast imaging is provided, comprising an X-ray source (2), an X-ray detector (12) element having a detector size, a beam splitter grating (8) and an analyzer grating (10). An object (6) is arrangeable between the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (12). The beam splitter grating (8) and the analyzer grating (10) are arrangeable between the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging system which has three circular gratings. The circular gratings are aligned with the optical axis of the radiation beam and a phase stepping is performed along the optical axis with the focal spot, the phase grating and/or the absorber grating. The signal measured is the phase-gradient in radial direction away from the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the distribution of an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) marker (16) in a body volume (14). The body volume (14) is irradiated with a beam of rays (12) from an X-ray source (10) with a first ray component with a quantum energy just above and a second ray component with a quantum energy just below the K-edge of the XRF marker (16). Secondary radiation emitted from the body volume (14) is detected in a location-resolved way by a detector (30). To separate the X-ray fluorescence components in the secondary radiation from background radiation, the body volume is irradiated for a second time with a beam of rays from which the first ray component has been substantially removed by a filter (22) made from the material of the XRF marker.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of generating metabolic images of an investigation region (3) of a body (1) by irradiating an X-ray fluorescence marker in that region and detecting the resulting X-ray fluorescence with a fluorescence detector (30). A fan beam (12) is used as a source of primary X-radiation, thus allowing the scanning of a whole body slice (3) in one step. The fluorescence image may be directly measured, e.g. by mapping voxels (104) of the investigation region onto pixels (134) of the detector (130) with the help of a pinhole collimator (132), or it may be reconstructed by procedures of computed tomography. Moreover, a morphological image may be generated by simultaneously recording X-ray transmission through the body (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the distribution of an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) marker (16) in a body volume (14). The body volume (14) is irradiated with a beam of rays (12) from an X-ray source (10) with a first ray component with a quantum energy just above and a second ray component with a quantum energy just below the K-edge of the XRF marker (16). Secondary radiation emitted from the body volume (14) is detected in a location-resolved way by a detector (30). To separate the X-ray fluorescence components in the secondary radiation from background radiation, the body volume is irradiated for a second time with a beam of rays from which the first ray component has been substantially removed by a filter (22) made from the material of the XRF marker.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the refrigerated storage and dispensing of substance samples, in particular a sample dispenser that is used in chromatography. Said device comprises a holder (7) for receiving one or more substance samples (3), at least one section of the holder (7) comprising at least one cavity (13) that is traversed by a liquid coolant (29), said cavity or cavities (13) being connected to a feed connection for supplying the coolant (29) and a return connection for evacuating the coolant (29). The device also comprises a liquid refrigeration unit (21), the feed connection of which is connected to the feed connection of the cavity or cavities (13) and the return connection of which is connected to the return connection of the cavity or cavities (13), a pump (23) for transporting the coolant (29) through the cavity or cavities (13) and a Peltier refrigeration unit (27) for cooling the coolant (29).

Abstract: The invention describes a method of generating metabolic images of an investigation region (3) of a body (1) by irradiating an X-ray fluorescence marker in that region and detecting the resulting X-ray fluorescence with a fluorescence detector (30). A fan beam (12) is used as a source of primary X-radiation, thus allowing the scanning of a whole body slice (3) in one step. The fluorescence image may be directly measured, e.g. by mapping voxels (104) of the investigation region onto pixels (134) of the detector (130) with the help of a pinhole collimator (132), or it may be reconstructed by procedures of computed tomography. Moreover, a morphological image may be generated by simultaneously recording X-ray transmission through the body (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the pulse transmission spectrum of elastically scattered quantities includes at least one diaphragm displaceable in a y-direction for switching between fine and coarse local resolution of the examined partial volumes of an examination object, wherein the diaphragm narrows the effective ray width transversely of a scanning direction, and a diaphragm system displaceable in a x-direction for limiting and extension of the partial volume in a z-direction, wherein the diaphragm system includes at least two circular ring diaphragms arranged one above the other and identical with respect to their circular ring structure, and wherein the circular ring diaphragms are arranged at a relative offset for reducing an effective imaging slot width or a detector slot width.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the pulse transmission spectrum of elastically scattered quantities includes at least one diaphragm displaceable in a y-direction for switching between fine and coarse local resolution of the examined partial volumes of an examination object, wherein the diaphragm narrows the effective ray width transversely of a scanning direction, and a diaphragm system displaceable in a x-direction for limiting and extension of the partial volume in a z-direction, wherein the diaphragm system includes at least two circular ring diaphragms arranged one above the other and identical with respect to their circular ring structure, and wherein the circular ring diaphragms are arranged at a relative offset for reducing an effective imaging slot width or a detector slot width.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining luggage by X-ray scanning, wherein the pieces of luggage to be examined are moved on a conveyor belt into a scanner which contains the X-ray components, i.e., an X-ray unit and a detector unit. The scanner together with the X-ray unit and the detector unit is moved over the piece of luggage which stands still. After each scanning process, the piece of luggage is moved on the conveyor belt in a timed manner and the step of scanning the piece of luggage is repeated.

Abstract: Described is a godet (2) for guiding and advancing endless filament yarns, which comprises one or several heating zones along its casing (3), the heat that is applied by the heating elements (7-10) to the godet casing (3) being scanned by a multiple temperature sensor (12), so as to control the temperature of godet casing (3) in zones. In accordance with the invention, the temperature sensor (12) consists of a flat circuit arrangement of resistors and conduction bands, which are enclosed by a coating resistant to even high temperatures. The exposed tapping contacts (18) lead to the outside of godet (2) and are connected, via measuring lines, with an evaluation unit, whereas the temperature sensor (12) itself is attached to the inside surface of the rotatably driven godet casing (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the momentum transfer spectrum of X-ray quanta elastically scattered in an examination zone, comprising an X-ray source and a detector device with a plurality of detector elements, one of which serves to measure a reference radiation beam. Attractive results are obtained in that between the examination zone and the X-ray source there is arranged at least one scatter member which scatters the X-rays emitted by the X-ray source, the reference radiation beam being formed from the part of the scattered radiation which reaches the reference detector element rectilinearly through the examination zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting anomalies of the skin, more particularly melanomae, includes a light source for illuminating a two-dimensionally extending examination region of the skin, successively, with ultraviolet light range and with visible light. A camera records a fluorescence picture of the examination region having signal values F(x,y) at its picture points x,y in response to the illumination with ultraviolet light and a reference picture having signal values R(x,y) at its picture points x,y in response to the illumination with visible light. A memory stores the signal values of at least one of the fluorescence picture and said reference picture, and a processor responsive to the memory produces an output picture having respective signal values A(x,y) at its picture points x,y which are formed from respective quotients F(x,y)/R(x,y) of the signal values of the fluorescence and reference pictures at the same picture points.