Abstract: A motion control method is disclosed for controlling a relative scan feed motion of an object bearing device toward a scanner unit of a computed tomography system. Here, scan motion control signals are generated parallel to the scan feed motion for controlling the scan feed motion, which scan motion control signals are derived from variable input data obtained in parallel during a scan procedure. In at least one embodiment, the variable input data includes motion signals which represent the object motion cycle determined with the aid of an electrocardiogram, and the speed of the scan feed motion is reduced if an extrasystole is detected. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to a motion control module suited to this and/or an image processing actuation method and/or an image processing actuation module for actuating an image processing system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography image data records of a patient in a heart CT scan during a perfusion control by applying contrast agent. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of temporally consecutive CT data records are recorded as an exposure series with a CT system and if necessary are reconstructed. These CT data records are improved for better visualization of the perfusion by way of electronic filtering and post-processing, with all projection and/or image data determined during a CT scan being used, however with the aid of frequency filtering only the data of a projection or of a reconstructed image for generating a final representation being used which does not fall within a predetermined local frequency range of a heart movement.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating computed tomography recordings of a patient with metallic components.

Abstract: A method and computed tomography unit are disclosed for producing computed tomograms of a patient's beating heart by voxelwise reconstruction of volume data records from prescribed cardiac cycle phases. Firstly, a multiplicity of voxelwise partial reconstructions are calculated from projection segments substantially smaller than 180° in accordance with small cardiac phase segments. The complete voxel data that cover overall at least 180° and originate from a preselected cardiac phase are subsequently summed up per cardiac phase to be considered from the pool of the incomplete reconstructed voxel data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing tomographic images relating to different movement phases of a periodically moving object with the use of a tomography unit that includes a recording system that is arranged rotatably about a z-axis of the tomography unit, the recording system including an X-ray tube to which a tube current can be applied and a detector (17, 18) for acquiring projections. In at least one embodiment, the recording system is initially positioned relative to the object at a first z-position, and projections are acquired from a multiplicity of different projection dimensions at this z-position, in a fashion triggered by a movement signal representing the movement of the object, projections relating to a first movement phase of the object being acquired in a prospectively defined first time window and projections relating to at least a second movement phase of the object being acquired in a prospectively defined second time window.

Abstract: A method and a CT system are disclosed for determining movement and rest phases of a partial object that moves at times in an examination object during a CT examination. In at least one embodiment, at least two different radiation sources are used for the comparative measurement, and a first radiation source emits a first fan beam at a specific rotation angle at a first instant, the absorption of said beam being measured in beamwise fashion, a second radiation source emits a second fan beam, at the same rotation angle at a second, later instant, the absorption of the beam likewise being measured in beamwise fashion, and the relative movement or relative rest of the partial object between the first and second instants is deduced by comparing deviating absorption values of a multiplicity of spatially equivalent and equidirectional fan beams proceeding from the same angular position of the radiation sources.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for differentiating and displaying moving and stationary heart regions of a patient in X-ray CT. In at least one embodiment, the method includes carrying-out circular or helical scanning of a patient in the region of his or her heart using an X-ray CT scanner including a detector with a multiplicity of detector elements, and storing at least one sinogram from a multiplicity of projection data from encircling projection directions; and reconstructing at least one tomographic display of the heart from the at least one sinogram and displaying the at least one reconstructed display of the heart. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the projection data are Fourier transformed, filtered with respect to a predetermined frequency, inverse transformed, reconstructed, and output together with the tomographic display of the heart.

Abstract: A method and an X-ray CT system are disclosed for producing tomographic pictures with the aid of an X-ray CT system including at least two X-ray sources arranged on a gantry with an angular offset to scan an examination object. In at least one embodiment of the method, in order to determine the scattered radiation distribution, pre-scanning is carried out in which the X-ray sources rotate about the examination object and the dose rate is modulated as a function of the rotation angle, no radiation dose is output over the majority of the revolution, at specific pre-scan angles a dose rate is produced briefly and individually in each case by the X-ray sources of the focus/detector systems, and the received scattered radiation is measured simultaneously by the detectors of the at least one other focus/detector system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating cardiac CT representations of a beating heart of a patient with the aid of a multi-tube CT system with application of a contrast medium. In at least one embodiment, the method includes carrying out a first CT scan with the multi-tube CT system, wherein at least one tube generates an X-ray spectrum, and reconstructing at least one CT representation of the same cardiac phase with a first temporal resolution; subsequently carrying out a second CT scan with the multi-tube CT system, wherein at least two angularly offset tubes generate different X-ray spectra; reconstructing at least one CT representation of the same cardiac phase per X-ray spectrum with a second temporal resolution; and generating a combined CT representation from results of the first and of the second scan.

Abstract: A method, a computational unit and a CT system are disclosed for improving the quality of CT image series. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning an examination object over a period of time which permits the acquisition of at least two temporally offset projection data records of an identical recording region; generating at least two temporally offset tomographic image data records, each having a multiplicity of pixels, by reconstructing the projection data records; transforming the image data records into transformation data records of at least two spatial frequency ranges; calculating temporal fitted values of the transformation data records for some of the spatial frequency ranges, and replacing the values of the transformation data records which were fitted by the calculated fitted values; performing an inverse transform of the transformation data records with the fitted values to form new image data records; and displaying the new image data records.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a CT scanner and/or a method for helical scanning of an examination object which has at least one portion undergoing periodic motion.

Abstract: A multi-emitter computed tomography scanner is disclosed, including a plurality of x-ray emitter/detector arrangement pairs arranged offset at an angle to one another. In at least one embodiment, the detector arrangements of the pairs are designed to be energy selective.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for extrapolation of truncated, incomplete projections for computed tomography. At least one embodiment of the method is based on the use of CT units having multi-row detectors and scanning in spiral scan operation and includes at least the following. Firstly, scanning of an examination object with the aid of a beam. Secondly, detection of complete and incomplete projection data during a scan. Thirdly, the carrying out of a parallel rebinning for the detected projection data. Fourthly, determining incomplete, truncated projections based on analysis of the 3D signal path in the 3D sinogram belonging to each voxel in the object region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extrapolation of truncated, incomplete projections for computed tomography. In at least one embodiment, the method includes the following method steps. Firstly, scanning of an examination object with the aid of a beam. Secondly, detection of complete and incomplete projection data during a scan. Thirdly, the carrying out of a parallel rebinning for the detected projection data by resorting and conversion of the projection data P(?, ?, q) present in fan geometry into projection data P(?, t, q) present in parallel geometry. Fourthly, for the complete parallel projections, projectionwise determination of mth moments, at least for m=0 and m=1, the following holding for the mth moment of a parallel projection P?(t) (m=0, 1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A method and a CT system are disclosed for measuring the perfusion in vessels and/or muscles of the heart (cardiac perfusion) in a patient. In at least one embodiment of the method the patient receives a contrast agent bolus, the patient is scanned for a scan period of a plurality of cardiac cycles in a scan field of a CT system controlled by the cardiac rhythm, a plurality of CT image data is reconstructed from projection data of a particular cardiac phase from respectively one cardiac cycle, and the temporal profile of the absorption values at at least one location in the heart is determined and displayed on the basis of a plurality of CT image data at successive times.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating computer tomography images using a 3D image reconstruction method. According to the method, to scan an object to be examined using a cone-shaped bundle of rays originating from a focal point and a planar, preferably multi-line detector for detecting the bundle of rays, the focal point is displaced along a spiral trajectory around the object to be examined. The detector delivers output data corresponding to the detected radiation and image voxels from the scanned examined object are reconstructed from the optionally pre-processed output data, the image voxels reflecting the attenuation coefficients of the respective voxel. Each image voxel is reconstructed separately from projection data, which covers a projection angular range of at least 108° and an approximate weighting is carried out for each voxel considered in order to standardize the projection data using the voxel.

Abstract: A method is for taking computed tomography scans with the aid of a CT unit and to a CT unit. An X-ray tube is moved in a circle or spiral about a z-axis in combination with a detector situated opposite and an object is scanned. The X-ray tube includes a jumping focus with two or more different jumping focal positions relative to the X-ray tube. Parallel data records are formed from the detector data obtained, and tomograms are reconstructed therefrom. When forming the parallel data records, account is taken of the different position of the respectively current jumping focus in relation to the X-ray tube (=jumping focal position) in the radial direction.

Abstract: A method for scanning a beating heart with the aid of a spiral CT system and a cardio CT system are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, rhythm signals of the beating heart are recorded and stored in a temporally correlated fashion, and only detector data that originate from a selected cycle area of the cardiac cycle are measured in order to reconstruct the tomographic section image data or volume data, the scanning being carried out with a runup distance and a runout distance for the purpose of complete scanning of the subarea of the patient with the beating heart on the basis of the spiral scanning. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the requisite runup distance and runout distance is determined on the basis of the measured cycles of the current rhythm signal of the patient, and an appropriate program code is present in the cardio CT system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of CT images via a CT spiral reconstruction of object for examination moving in partial areas in a cyclical manner and a CT device therefor. During scanning of the object to be examined, various rates of advancement are used, irrespective of whether the scanned area is at least partially cyclically displaced or is stationary.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography displays, in which with the aid of at least one X-ray source, an examination object is scanned in a rotationally circulating fashion with a measured dose rate dependent on the circulation angle, projection data are collected from a multiplicity of viewing angles, and at least similarly redundant projection data from angularly identical or angularly complementary projection angles with a different measured dose are interpolated with distance weighted relative to a projection value and are used for reconstruction. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, during the distance weighted interpolation of the at least similarly redundant projection data an additional noise optimizing weighting is carried out as a function of the noise present per projection value.