Abstract: The present invention relates to mammography.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical tomosynthesis system (10) having an interventional device (15) and an image acquisition device (11, 12) for acquiring images of a subject volume in a plurality of angular positions around the subject volume. In the system, a three-dimensional geometrical model of the interventional unit is used to identify the projection angles of the image acquisition device that actually can be used. Preferably, this three-dimensional model is achieved by reconstructing it from projection images acquired with the X-ray image acquisition device. The invention also relates to a method for acquiring images with such a system.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for acquiring a three-dimensional image of an object such as a mammography image of a female breast is proposed. The tomosynthesis system (1) comprises an X-ray source (3), an X-ray detector (7), a support arrangement (15) and a moving mechanism (11). The X-ray source (3) and the X-ray detector (7) are adapted for acquiring a plurality of X-ray images while irradiating the object (17) with an X-ray beam (21) from a plurality of tomographic angles ?. The moving mechanism (11) is adapted to pivot the X-ray detector (7) in positions such that for each tomographic angle ? a detection surface (25) of the X-ray detector (7) is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the X-ray beam (21).

Abstract: It is described a device (10) for non-symmetrical X-ray beam collimation of a X-ray tube (30), wherein the device comprises a housing (1), a X-ray absorbing plate (2) for collimating a x-ray asymmetrically, and a sleigh (3) for moving the X-ray absorbing plate. With the inventive device an asymmetrical X-ray beam can be obtained from a symmetrical X-ray beam, such that the device can be used in conventional symmetrical X-ray systems, like C-arm systems and that a better protection of a patient is reached.

Abstract: A calibration device (140) for calibrating an X-ray image apparatus includes a receiving unit (200) for receiving an image captured by a detection unit (108) of the X-ray image apparatus (100) under reference conditions, an analyzing unit (201) for analyzing the captured image to derive gain correction information, and a calibration unit (202) for providing calibrating information for calibrating the X-ray image apparatus (100) based on the derived gain correction information disregarding gain correction of a heel effect.

Abstract: A method for correcting defects in X-ray images includes identifying potentially defective picture elements (p) in X-ray images (I), created during normal operation, by comparing a value (W(p)) of the picture elements with corresponding values in a neighborhood (n(p)). If a picture element (p) has been classified as “potentially defective” in more than a specified percentage of X-ray images, it is entered in a defect map which is refreshed on a continuous basis. The defect map can then be used to correct other X-ray images.

Abstract: In the generating of images by means of a two-dimensional field of image sensors, notably by means of a flat dynamic X-ray detector FDXD, adherence to the maximum data rate Gmax of an evaluation unit (1) requires satisfying the relation ?x·?y·f/b?Gmax between the width ?x and the height ?y of a sub-region of the image sensor read out, the imaging rate f and the binning factor b. In conformity with the method, parameters defining the size, position and/or shape of the sub-region can be preset at will, the other variables of the inequality being adapted, if necessary, in such a manner that the inequality remains satisfied. In the context of the method there is also performed a mosaic calibration during which calibration images of the complete image sensor are composed from calibration images of sub-regions.

Abstract: A portable X-ray detector unit includes a portable, hand-held cassette having exposure detection fields for measuring the level of radiation to which a subject to be imaged is exposed. An Automatic exposure control terminates radiation supplied to a subject when it is determined that the level of exposure exceeds a predetermined threshold as interpreted in the portable detector unit. A user-interface is provided to control the exposure detection fields and/or the automatic exposure control.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising a motorised X-ray tube located at a fixed focus position (12) relative to an object (14) to be imaged, and a motorised detector (18) for detecting the intensity distribution of radiation transmitted through the object. A control system (22) is provided for calculating two or more angles (Ot1) from which the object (14) should be exposed to radiation in order to cover the entire exposure field (H) occupied by the object (14) and for causing the X-ray tube to be rotated around the fixed focus position (12) so as to expose the object (14) to radiation from each of the respective angles (Ot1). The movement of the detector (18) is also performed automatically so as to correspond with the exposure angles so as to create two or more respective images of respective regions of the object (14) which can be subsequently stitched together to create a complete image thereof.

Abstract: It is described a device (10) for non-symmetrical X-ray beam collimation of a X-ray tube (30), wherein the device comprises a housing (1), a X-ray absorbing plate (2) for collimating a x-ray asymmetrically, and a sleigh (3) for moving the X-ray absorbing plate.

Abstract: It is described a portable X-ray system (200), which has sensing means for detecting whether an anti scatter grid (230) is attached to a portable detector (240) or not. The system is able to automatically change the default exposure settings (265 a, 265b, 265 c, 265 d), when a grid (230) is removed or attached to the portable detector (240). Thus, the risk of an under- or an over-exposure of the image will be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiography system for computed radiography, comprising an X-ray apparatus (1) with an X-ray source (7), a plurality of image cassettes (9) for producing digital images, a cassette reading means (13) for reading radiographic images (19) stored in the image cassettes (9) after X-ray exposure, and a data processing means (14) connected to the cassette reading means (13), the data processing means (14) being arranged to process the radiographic images (19) read from the image cassettes (9).

Abstract: A calibration device (140) for calibrating an X-ray image apparatus is described (100), the device (140) comprising a receiving unit (200) for receiving an image captured by a detection unit (108) of the X-ray image apparatus (100) under reference conditions, an analyzing unit (201) for analyzing the captured image to derive gain correction information, and a calibration unit (202) for providing calibrating information for calibrating the X-ray image apparatus (100) based on the derived gain correction information disregarding gain correction of a heel effect.

Abstract: A portable X-ray detector unit comprising a portable, hand-held cassette (10) having a plurality of exposure detection fields (identified by markings (12)) for measuring the level of radiation to which a subject to be imaged is exposed. Automatic exposure control means (26), for terminating radiation supply to the subject (4) when it is determined that the level of exposure exceeds a predetermined threshold, are interpreted in the portable detector unit, and a user-interface (16, 18) is provided to control the exposure detection fields (12) and/or the control means (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) having a matrix array of electronic field elements (Fij), which may for example be sensor elements of an X-ray detector or pixels of a display. The field elements (Fij) are connected to access lines (Al, Dk) which, starting from a driver circuit (2, 3) at the border of the array, are routed in zigzag fashion along diagonals. In this way it is possible to provide address lines (Al) and data lines (Dk) which are locally orthogonal to one another and make it possible for individual field elements (Fij) to be addressed unambiguously. The associated driver circuits (2, 3) may be arranged at the same border or at opposite borders of the matrix, so that an array of almost any desired length can be put together from the device (1) without gaps in one dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiography system for computed radiography, comprising an X-ray apparatus (1) with an X-ray source (7), a plurality of image cassettes (9) for producing digital images, a cassette reading means (13) for reading radiographic images (19) stored in the image cassettes (9) after X-ray exposure, and a data processing means (14) connected to the cassette reading means (13), the data processing means (14) being arranged to process the radiographic images (19) read from the image cassettes (9).

Abstract: In a wireless medical component (10), when it is desired to lessen the clutter of cables and increase mobility and versatility relative to cabled components, a battery life monitor, particularly a voltage monitor (16) takes voltage readings of a battery (12) to assess charge level as the battery (12) drains. The monitored charge level and medical data are transmitted (20) to a receiver (22) associated with a remote host unit (24). The host unit includes historical and typical battery level information and estimates remaining life of the battery (12). Battery life and medical information are displayed on a user interface (42). Typical medical components include ekg sensors, pulse sensors, blood oxygen sensors, blood measure sensors, brain wave sensors, temperature sensors, perfusion pumps, IV drip controllers, patient identification tags or wrist bands, pacemakers, respirators, x-ray detectors, and an MRI coils.

Abstract: A security system for preventing unauthorised removal of a portable electronic device, such as a portable X-ray detector (106) or the like, from a docking station (100). The docking station (100) is provided with an electromagnetic lock (102) which is activated by means of a software command (112) issued by a screensaver function (110) running on a remote host PC (108). When triggered after some predetermined period of user inactivity, the screensaver function (110) locks the screen and keyboard of the host PC (108) to prevent unauthorised use thereof, and also issues the above-mentioned software command (112) to activate the electromagnetic lock (102) and prevent removal of the detector (106) from the docking station (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing device for processing X-ray images, in particular mammography X-ray images, and also to a corresponding X-ray device, to a method for this and to a computer program or computer program product. In the image processing device, display images are created from X-ray images which show at least two spatially separate objects such as a marker and a mamma Part-images which show the respective objects are determined in the X-ray images and the part-images are arranged in the display images. The size of the display images is such that the part of the display images that is free of the part-images is smaller than the corresponding part of the X-ray images.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generating of images by means of a two-dimensional field of image sensors, notably by means of a flat dynamic X-ray detector FDXD. In order to adhere to with the maximum data rate Gmax of an evaluation unit (1) it is necessary to satisfy the relation y.f/b £ Gmax between the width x and the height y of a sub-region of the image sensor read out, the imaging rate f and the binning factor b. In conformity with the method, parameters defining the size, position and/or shape of the sub-region can be preset at will, the other variables of the inequality being adapted, if necessary, in such a manner that the inequality remains satisfied. In the context of the method there is also performed a mosaic calibration during which calibration images of the complete image sensor are composed from calibration images of sub-regions.