Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: A framework, comprising techniques, process(es), device(s), system(s), combinations thereof, or the like, to analyze propagation of information in prior-image-based reconstruction by decomposing the estimation into distinct components supported by a current data acquisition and by a prior image. Such decomposition can quantify contributions from prior data and current data as a spatial map and/or can trace specific features in an image to a source of at least some of such features.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for a quantitatively calibrated computed tomography scanner. The device includes a gentry configured for receiving a patient or part of a patient. The gentry includes an X-ray source and a detector positioned opposite said X-ray source, such that said detector receives the X-rays emitted from the X-ray source. Calibration phantoms are integrated with the gentry and/or a device within the scanner so as to allow for calibration in quantitative CT measurements of Hounsfield units and/or bone mineral density.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.

Abstract: A method for processing an image of a series of images includes receiving first data representing a first previously reconstructed image and receiving second data representing a second image. A second image is reconstructed in accordance with the first data, the second data and a noise model. The noise model is a likelihood estimation. The second image is reconstructed in accordance with a penalty function. The penalty function is a roughness penalty function. The penalty function is updated by iteratively adjusting an image volume estimate. The penalty function is updated by iteratively adjusting a registration term. The penalty function is a prior image penalty function and the prior image penalty function and a registration term are jointly optimized. The penalty function is determined in accordance with a noise model. The function is a p-norm penalty function.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system including a patient support element and an electromagnetic field generator. The patient support element is superposed relative to the electromagnetic field generator, and the electromagnetic field generator is selectively moveable relative to the patient support element.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.

Abstract: A system for registering images includes an image registration unit. The image registration unit is configured to receive first image data for a first image in an N-dimensional space, receive second image data for a second image in the N-dimensional space, calculate a field of update vectors that maps the first image into a moving image, and map the first image into the moving image using the field of update vectors such that the moving image more closely matches the second image. The field of update vectors includes a plurality of N+M dimensional update vectors, each update vector having N spatial components and M extra components. N is a number greater than zero, and M is a number greater than zero. The M extra components of the plurality of update vectors identify portions of the first image that are assigned external values during the mapping the first image into the moving image.

Abstract: A tracking and navigation system is provided. The system includes an imaging or treatment device, a tracker device, and a fiducial marker. At least part of the imaging or treatment device is movable relative to a patient. The tracker device is mounted on the imaging or treatment device and is movable therewith relative to the patient. The fiducial marker may be fixed relative to the patient to define a patient coordinate system. The fiducial marker is detectable by the tracker device to substantially maintain registration between the tracker device and the patient coordinate system.

Abstract: An imaging system for processing image data of an object containing a component. The imaging system includes an imaging device arranged to obtain image data and a processor. The processor is adapted to receive the image data from the imaging device, obtain a component model for the component, obtain an imaging device model for the imaging device, construct an unconstrained objective function based on the component model and the imaging device model, and construct a model of the object containing the component based on the unconstrained objective function and the image data, and a display device adapted to display an image for the object containing the component based on the model.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.

Abstract: A method and imaging system for operating imaging computed tomography using a radiation source and a plurality of detectors to generate an image of an object. The method includes: defining a desired image characteristics; and performing calculations to determine the pattern of fluence to be applied by the radiation source, to generate said desired image quality or characteristics. Then, the radiation source is modulated, to generate the intended pattern of fluence between the beam source and the object to be imaged. The desired image characteristics can comprise at least one of desired levels of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and may provide at least one of: desired image quality in at least one defined region of interest; and at least one desired distribution of said image quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of lower leg portions of a patient has a radiation source and a source transport actuable to move the source along an arcuate source path within a housing, from one side of a circumferential gap to the other and has a radius R2 about a center. A housing is provided for placement of the patient's foot. A digital radiation detector has a detector transport actuable to move the detector along an arcuate detector path within the housing, the detector path having a radius R1 about the center and concentric with the source path, wherein R1 is less than R2, and wherein the detector path extends from one side of the pedestal indent to the other. A gap closure apparatus is movable to a position that continues the detector path across the circumferential gap and encloses the detector path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for resolving misregistration errors resulting from dual energy double-shot projection radiographic image acquisition. The method involves an iterative multi-scale, multi-resolution registration process that corrects misregistration errors progressively at scales ranging from bulk anatomical drift down to smaller scale motion such as that of fine pulmonary vasculature. The method may be incorporated as part of a dual energy image processing chain to create dual energy images with improved image quality and diagnostic performance.

Abstract: A method and imaging system for operating imaging computed tomography using a radiation source and a plurality of detectors to generate an image of an object. The method includes: defining a desired image characteristics; and performing calculations to determine the pattern of fluence to be applied by the radiation source, to generate said desired image quality or characteristics. Then, the radiation source is modulated, to generate the intended pattern of fluence between the beam source and the object to be imaged. The desired image characteristics can comprise at least one of desired levels of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and may provide at least one of: desired image quality in at least one defined region of interest; and at least one desired distribution of said image quality.