Abstract: Health trackers for targeting tissue sampling sites in accordance with embodiments of the invention are provided. In one embodiment, a health tracker includes: a scanner for capturing spectral data, the scanner comprising: a magnet configured to generate a field gradient across a region of interest; an RF transmitting antenna configured to generate a localized field; and an RF sensing antenna configured to sense a localized area; and where the scanner is configured to obtain magnetic resonance spectral data from predetermined locations with a volume of interest.

Abstract: Digital tomosynthesis (DT) gives better diagnostic information than 2D X-ray, rivalling CT. However, tomosynthesis reconstruction requires sophisticated algorithms and a powerful computer, and can take several minutes to complete. The present invention takes a single x-ray image of a body 50 using multiple sources. In normal tomography and tomosynthesis imaging, such overlapping cones would lead to un-reconstructable data as significant overlap, in general, can’t be deconvolved and is not soluble. However, here, for the detection and localization of dense, compact objects 40, a location of an object 40 may be determined in three spatial dimensions from a single two-dimensional image. That is, processor-intensive reconstruction of a three-dimensional volume may be avoided.

Abstract: To identify and/or assess structural integrity of a composite material comprising fiduciary markers which attenuate x-rays to an extent greater than the rest of the material, a method is provided wherein x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the composite material are created using an array of x-ray emitters and a digital x-ray detector wherein the array of x-ray emitters and the digital x-ray detector are maintained in fixed relation to one another and to the composite material, the 3D tomosynthesis images being used to determine the relative location of at least some of the fiduciary markers with respect to one another; a database is provided for storing the relative location of at least some of the fiduciary markers with respect to one another, further x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the same, or a different, composite material may be checked against the data in the database to ascertain structural integrity and/or identity of the material.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to reduce the burden of producing high-resolution tomograms by using an initial scan on a predetermined grid 10 to obtain a minimal set of images, and then regions of interest 20 are identified for further scanning. The further scanning locations 40 are determined by image entropy or gradient found in the previous iteration; such regions are indicative of edges, cracks or complex structure within the region. After each iteration, the level of information (e.g. image entropy or gradient) will decrease relative to the pixel/voxel size. In this way, a more efficient way to scan is achieved.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus comprises a panel including individually energisable x-ray emitters, a detector and a processor, wherein the emitters and detector remain relatively stationary. The first set of x-ray emitters of the panel is energised to direct x-rays at the first object and surrounding area. The detector detects x-rays passing through the first object and surrounding area. Detected x-rays are processed to create a first x-ray image of the first object and surrounding area. A region of interest is selected from the first image which is smaller than the image of the first object and surrounding area. A second set of x-ray emitters of the panel is energised to direct x-rays at the region of interest. The detector detects x-rays passing through the region of interest. Detected x-rays are processed to create images of the region of interest to obtain tomosynthesis data showing structure of the region of interest.

Abstract: To obtain functional information 110 energising a first set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a first period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object; using the detector to detect the x-rays 35 after passing through the first object; processing the detected x-rays to create a first set of images to obtain tomosynthesis data 100; energising a second set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a second period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object; using the detector to detect the x-rays after passing through the first object; processing the detected x-rays to create a second set of images to obtain tomosynthesis data, wherein the number of emitters used in the second period of time is less than used in the first period of time; and comparing at least some images from each set of images to provide functional information.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging device (10) comprising at least two substantially planar panels (20, 21), each panel comprising a plurality of x-ray emitters housed in a vacuum enclosure, wherein the at least two panels each have a central panel axis (28) and are arranged such that their central panel axes are non-parallel to one another, the device further comprising a panel retaining means and arranged such that the panel retaining means retains the at least two panels stationary in relation to an object during x-raying of the object.

Abstract: A portable x-ray imaging source (100) capable of motion-free x-ray tomosynthesis, wherein said source is suitable for dental and small body-part/small area imaging.

Abstract: To achieve high quality x-ray imaging, it is important to be able to control the production of x-rays in an x-ray generator. This is achieved by an x-ray generator comprising an array of electron field emitters for producing paths of electrons, target material comprising x-ray photon producing material configured to emit x-ray photons in response to the incidence of produced electrons upon it, an array of magnetic-field generators for affecting the paths of the produced electrons from the array of electron field emitters such that one or more paths are divertable away from the x-ray photon producing material so as to reduce the production of x-ray photons by the said one or more paths of electrons, the generator further comprising a sensing circuit arranged to measure the amount of electrical charge emitted by one or more electron emitter, and a controller for controlling the array of magnetic-field generators in response to the amount of electrical charge measured.

Abstract: The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group. At least the ROI portion of the 3D space between the emitter panel and the detector panel is represented by 3D volume elements (voxels), wherein at least some of those voxels represent respective portions of that space that are traversed by corresponding portions of a plurality of radiation rays each extending from a respective emitter to a respective detector and are associated with respective absorption coefficients representative of the radiation absorption characteristic of a corresponding portion of the ROI.

Abstract: The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group. At least the ROI of portion of the 3D space between the emitter panel and the detector panel is represented by 3D volume elements (voxels), wherein at least some of those voxels represent respective portions of that space that are traversed by corresponding portions of a plurality of radiation rays each extending from a respective emitter to a respective detector and are associated with respective absorption coefficients representative of the radiation absorption characteristic of a corresponding portion of the ROI.

Abstract: The disclosed system includes an emitter array for generating x-rays, a detector array for sensing a flux of x-rays transmitted through a region of interest; apparatus for holding, moving and aligning the emitter array relative to the region of interest and the detector array; electronic means for controlling the emitters and for reading and analyzing the output from the detectors and converting it to image data, and a display for displaying and manipulating the image data. The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging device (10) comprising at least two substantially planar panels (20, 21), each panel comprising a plurality of x-ray emitters housed in a vacuum enclosure, wherein the at least two panels each have a central panel axis (28) and are arranged such that their central panel axes are non-parallel to one another, the device further comprising a panel retaining means and arranged such that the panel retaining means retains the at least two panels stationary in relation to an object during x-raying of the object.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system and method for reconstructing three-dimensional images of a region of interest from spatially and temporally overlapping x-rays using novel reconstruction techniques are provided. The x-ray imaging system may include a detector to generate a signal in response to x-rays incident upon the detector, wherein the signal indicates the intensity of the x-rays incident upon a pixel of the detector, a plurality of x-ray sources arranged to emit x-rays such that said x-rays pass through a region of interest (ROI) and spatially and temporally overlap at the pixel of the detector, and a processing unit to receive the signal indicating the intensity of x-rays incident upon the pixel of the detector and generate an estimate of the intensity attributable to each of the two or more x-rays overlapping at the pixel of the detector.

Abstract: To achieve high quality x-ray imaging, it is important to be able to control the production of x-rays in an x-ray generator. This is achieved by an x-ray generator comprising an array of electron field emitters for producing paths of electrons, target material comprising x-ray photon producing material configured to emit x-ray photons in response to the incidence of produced electrons upon it, an array of magnetic-field generators for affecting the paths of the produced electrons from the array of electron field emitters such that one or more paths are divertable away from the x-ray photon producing material so as to reduce the production of x-ray photons by the said one or more paths of electrons, the generator further comprising a sensing circuit arranged to measure the amount of electrical charge emitted by one or more electron emitter, and a controller for controlling the array of magnetic-field generators in response to the amount of electrical charge measured.

Abstract: A method of designing an x-ray emitter panel 100 including the step of determining a pitch scale, r, to be used in placing x-ray emitter elements 110 on the panel 100, thereby arriving at a specific design of x-ray emitter panel 100 suitable for a specific use.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system and method for reconstructing three-dimensional images of a region of interest from spatially and temporally overlapping x-rays using novel reconstruction techniques are provided. The x-ray imaging system may include a detector to generate a signal in response to x-rays incident upon the detector, wherein the signal indicates the intensity of the x-rays incident upon a pixel of the detector, a plurality of x-ray sources arranged to emit x-rays such that said x-rays pass through a region of interest (ROI) and spatially and temporally overlap at the pixel of the detector, and a processing unit to receive the signal indicating the intensity of x-rays incident upon the pixel of the detector and generate an estimate of the intensity attributable to each of the two or more x-rays overlapping at the pixel of the detector.

Abstract: An x-ray collimator that may include a substrate containing a plurality of holes, each hole being frustoconical at one end and tubular at the other end for use in an x-ray imaging system, whereby the x-ray collimator may be aligned with a two-dimensional array of x-ray sources and a two-dimensional x-ray sensor, and whereby x-ray photons from the x-ray sources may pass through the collimator holes and emerge as a beam of x-ray photons in a narrow angle cone which may pass through a subject being imaged, positioned between the output holes of the collimator and the x-ray sensor.

Abstract: A portable x-ray imaging source (100) capable of motion-free x-ray tomosynthesis, wherein said source is suitable for dental and small body-part/small area imaging.

Abstract: An x-ray generator may include a plurality of electron field emitters; a target material; a plurality of energizable solenoid coils; and an electronic power and timing circuit. The generator may provide electrical current to at least one individual solenoid coil to create a magnetic field to cause the path of electrons emitted from the emitter closest to the energized solenoid coil to be defocused and/or deflected before the electrons reach the target material. The target material may comprise a low atomic number material and a high atomic number material, the high atomic number material being arranged in a regular pattern, such that, in use, the electrons may be aimed at either the high or the low atomic number material.