Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector includes a first detection area detecting the X-rays and a second detection area detecting the X-rays. The first detection area includes a first scintillator having a first fluorescence decay time, the second detection area includes a second scintillator having a second fluorescence decay time shorter than the first fluorescence decay time. The second detection area is arranged at both ends of the first detection area with respect to a channel direction.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence apparatus includes an input processor configured to convert input information to patterns, an analyzer configured to analyze the input information, a recorder configured to record the information, a controller configured to perform at least one of a development of a process according to a type of a sentences and an intention, a search for information and a logic development to solve a problem, an execution of a process and activating a program, a generalization of information and a procedure, an update to a better knowledge and a logic, a search and an arrangement of information about an interesting field and an item, recording and updating of information, connective relations and relationship, and a transition control between information to a goal and an output processor configured to convert the patterns to information or control signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to identify and correct partial volume errors (PVEs) in material decomposition of a spectral computed tomography (CT) scan, due to different X-ray trajectories incident on a same macro-pixel passing through different material components (e.g., bone and water). Macro-pixels are virtual crystals generated by aggregating the signals/counts from several smaller actual pixels (i.e., micro-pixels) of a detector array. Thus, when a PVE is identified within a macro-pixel, the separate signals/counts from the micro-pixels can be used for material decomposition, instead of the aggregated signals/counts of the macro-pixel, thereby providing improved spatial resolution of the material components and, at least partial, overcoming the PVE. A measure of the difference between spectrally-resolved counts based a material projection lengths (e.g., from a calibrated lookup table) and the measured counts of the macro-pixel can be used to identify PVEs, e.g.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to identify and correct partial volume errors (PVEs) in material decomposition of a spectral computed tomography (CT) scan, due to different X-ray trajectories incident on a same macro-pixel passing through different material components (e.g., bone and water). Macro-pixels are virtual crystals generated by aggregating the signals/counts from several smaller actual pixels (i.e., micro-pixels) of a detector array. Thus, when a PVE is identified within a macro-pixel, the separate signals/counts from the micro-pixels can be used for material decomposition, instead of the aggregated signals/counts of the macro-pixel, thereby providing improved spatial resolution of the material components and, at least partial, overcoming the PVE. A measure of the difference between spectrally-resolved counts based a material projection lengths (e.g., from a calibrated lookup table) and the measured counts of the macro-pixel can be used to identify PVEs, e.g.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensitivity correction method includes acquiring count rates for respective pixels in a photon counting detector; preparing incident dose adjustment materials for the respective pixels based on the count rates for the respective pixels; and providing the incident dose adjustment materials in a surface of the photon counting detector.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a photon counting detector, and a processing circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to generate X-rays. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements each configured to output a signal in response to any of the X-rays becoming incident thereto after having passed through an examined subject. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, within a reconstruction region, a first region on which a spectrum reconstructing process is to be performed and a second region on which an energy integral reconstructing process is to be performed, on the basis of output values related to energy spectra based on the signals output by the detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to generate an image on the basis of the determined first region and the determined second region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and control circuitry. The X-ray tube includes a cathode configured to generate thermoelectrons, an anode configured to generate X-rays upon receiving the thermoelectrons from the cathode, and a regulator configured to apply an electric field or a magnetic field to focus or bias the thermoelectrons from the cathode. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays generated by the anode. The control circuitry controls the regulator to switch at least one of the size and position of the focus of the thermoelectrons from the cathode on the anode between scan and warm-up.

Abstract: An X-ray detector according to an embodiment includes a scintillator array and a photodiode array. In the scintillator array, a plurality of scintillators are arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The photodiode array includes photodiodes each of which is installed for a different one of the scintillators and each of which has an active area configured to convert visible light emitted by the scintillator into an electrical signal. The photodiodes are arranged in such a manner that the widths of the active areas are equal to one another in the first direction.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to one embodiment includes a photon counting detector and a processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements configured to detect X-rays. The processing circuitry is configured to set a control parameter corresponding to a position of each of the detecting elements in the photon counting detector.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector includes a first detection area detecting the X-rays and a second detection area detecting the X-rays. The first detection area includes a first scintillator having a first fluorescence decay time, the second detection area includes a second scintillator having a second fluorescence decay time shorter than the first fluorescence decay time. The second detection area is arranged at both ends of the first detection area with respect to a channel direction.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a photon counting detector, and a processing circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to generate X-rays. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements each configured to output a signal in response to any of the X-rays becoming incident thereto after having passed through an examined subject. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, within a reconstruction region, a first region on which a spectrum reconstructing process is to be performed and a second region on which an energy integral reconstructing process is to be performed, on the basis of output values related to energy spectra based on the signals output by the detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to generate an image on the basis of the determined first region and the determined second region.

Abstract: A photon-counting type X-ray computed tomography apparatus that comprises a high-voltage generator to generate a voltage signal, an X-ray tube to emit X-rays when the X-ray tube receives the voltage signal from the high-voltage generator, an X-ray detector to detect photons derived from the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube, and circuitry to count a number of the detected photons with respect to a plurality of energy bands, detect a number of photons in a first energy band that exceeds an energy level corresponding to a voltage value of the voltage signal, and changing a number of photons at a second energy band based on the detected number of photons in the first energy band, to correct for operational limitations of the X-ray detector.

Abstract: A gantry includes two X-ray source rings and a detector ring. Each X-ray source ring includes a plurality of X-ray sources arrayed circumferentially. The detector ring is provided next to the X-ray source ring and includes a plurality of X-ray detectors arrayed circumferentially. Each of the plurality of X-ray detectors detects X-rays from the X-ray source ring. A data collection circuit collects raw data corresponding to the intensity of the detected X-rays. A reconstruction unit reconstructs the collected raw data into a CT image based on digital data.

Abstract: An X-ray detector according to an embodiment includes a scintillator array and a photodiode array. In the scintillator array, a plurality of scintillators are arranged in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The photodiode array includes photodiodes each of which is installed for a different one of the scintillators and each of which has an active area configured to convert visible light emitted by the scintillator into an electrical signal. The photodiodes are arranged in such a manner that the widths of the active areas are equal to one another in the first direction.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence apparatus includes an input processor configured to convert input information to patterns, an analyzer configured to analyze the input information, a recorder configured to record the information, a controller configured to perform at least one of a development of a process according to a type of a sentences and an intention, a search for information and a logic development to solve a problem, an execution of a process and activating a program, a generalization of information and a procedure, an update to a better knowledge and a logic, a search and an arrangement of information about an interesting field and an item, recording and updating of information, connective relations and relationship, and a transition control between information to a goal and an output processor configured to convert the patterns to information or control signals.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and control circuitry. The X-ray tube includes a cathode configured to generate thermoelectrons, an anode configured to generate X-rays upon receiving the thermoelectrons from the cathode, and a regulator configured to apply an electric field or a magnetic field to focus or bias the thermoelectrons from the cathode. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays generated by the anode. The control circuitry controls the regulator to switch at least one of the size and position of the focus of the thermoelectrons from the cathode on the anode between scan and warm-up.

Abstract: An engine control device includes an engine failure determination unit and a rotation rate control unit. The engine failure determination unit determines whether or not a predetermined failure condition is satisfied based on a result of detection performed by a sensor that detects the state of a marine vessel engine. If an engine rotation rate is higher than a limited rotation rate when the engine failure determination unit determines that the failure condition is satisfied, the rotation rate control unit decreases the engine rotation rate to the limited rotation rate and performs a limited-operation control for rejecting any rotation rate operation that indicates a higher engine rotation rate than the limited rotation rate.

Abstract: An autonomous thinking pattern generator including a pattern converter configured to convert input information to patterns, the input information including image information, sound information or language, a pattern recorder configured to record the patterns, a pattern controller configured to set and change the patterns, and form connective relations between the patterns, and an information analyzer configured to evaluate values of the input information is provided. The pattern recorder is configured to record the patterns corresponding to the input information which is determined as worthy by the information analyzer autonomously.