Abstract: In one aspect, a method for producing an image of an object utilizing a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes axially scanning an object utilizing the CT imaging system to obtain more than 180° of projection data of the object. The method also includes weighting the projection data according to projection location and pixel location of an image to be reconstructed and reconstructing the image of the object utilizing the weighted projection data.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly includes performing a computed tomography (CT) scout scan to obtain data, and supplying the obtained data to a radiographic computer aided detection (CAD) algorithm.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a reduction in image artifacts is provided. The method includes receiving data regarding a scan of an object, reconstructing a plurality of images using the received data to form a three-dimensional image space, determining an orientation for a maximum intensity pixel operation, locating the maximum intensity pixels within a plurality of ray paths in accordance with the determined orientation, and filtering around each maximum intensity pixel along each ray path.

Abstract: A multi-slice computed tomography imaging system is provided including a source that generates an x-ray beam and a detector array that receives the x-ray beam and generates projection data. A translatable table has an object thereon and is operable to translate in relation to the source and the detector array. The source and the detector array rotate about the translatable table to helically scan the object. An image reconstructor is electrically coupled to the detector array and reconstructs an image in response to the projection data using a computed tomography modeled iterative reconstruction technique. The iterative reconstruction technique includes determining a cross-section reconstruction vector, which approximately matches the projection data via a computed tomography model. Methods for performing the same are also provided including accounting for extended boundary regions.

Abstract: A method of at least partially compensating for an x-ray tube target angle heel effect wherein the method includes providing an x-ray source, providing an x-ray detector having a plurality of detector rows positioned to receive x-rays from the source, and using a filter to increase uniformity of at least one of a projection noise and a spatial resolution, wherein the projection noise and the spatial resolution are non-uniform and are a function of a target angle along a z-axis.

Abstract: A technique is provided for non-uniform weighting in back-projection calculations in tomosythesis. The non-uniform weighting may include weighting based on a count map of the number of times pixels of individual slices are traversed by radiation in different projections. Weighting may also include non-uniform functions for contributions of features at different slice level to the sensed X-ray attenuation system response inconsistencies are accounted for by further weighting based upon projection maps which may be created in separate system calibration or configuration routines.

Abstract: Some configurations of the present invention provide a method for reconstructing an image of an object of a computed tomographic imaging system having a detector array and a radiation source, wherein an arc of the detector array is not concentric to a focal spot of the radiation source. The method includes scanning the object with the computed tomographic imaging system to obtain a fan beam dataset, rebinning the fan beam dataset into a set of parallel datasets; and reconstructing an image utilizing the set of parallel datasets.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a two-dimensional detector array and an x-ray source that both revolve around the subject during a scan. The x-ray source produces a cone beam of x-rays and the focal point of this cone beam is electrically moved to different locations along the z-axis to increase the z-axis extent of the ROI that can be imaged without patient table movement. Different focal point scan patterns are described for a variety of different clinical applications.

Abstract: An anode assembly having multiple target electrodes is disclosed. Each target electrode produces an x-ray fan beam for radiographic data acquisition. The target electrodes are designed to sequentially generate an x-ray fan beam and therefore operate at a proportional duty cycle per scan. Power output capabilities of the anode assembly is increased without an increase in the size or thermal overloading of the anode assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tailoring the profile of an x-ray beam for radiographic imaging for a specific subject is disclosed. The invention includes a filter assembly having a pair of filters, each of which may be dynamically controlled by a motor assembly during data acquisition. The filters are positionable in the x-ray beam so as to shape the intensity profile of the x-ray beam. In one exemplary embodiment, the filters are dynamically positioned during CT data acquisition based on the shape of the subject. A method of determining the shape of the subject prior to CT data acquisition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for conducting a perfusion study includes performing an initial full scan of an area of interest in an object, and performing at least one subsequent partial scan of the area of interest to detect motion of a contrast agent.

Abstract: Some configurations of the present invention thus provide a method for producing images of an object. The method includes dynamically helically scanning an object on a moving table utilizing a scanning imaging system. During the scan, projection views of the object are acquired and stored together with corresponding table locations. A plane for reconstruction of an image of the object is selected. The stored table locations are used to determine geometric variables applicable to the stored projection views; and the stored projection views are filtered and backprojected utilizing the geometrical variables to reconstruct an image of the object at the reconstruction plane.

Abstract: A multi-slice computed tomography imaging system (10) is provided including a source (18) generating a x-ray beam (32). A detector array (20) receives the x-ray beam (32) and generates projection data. A translating table (22) having an object (12) thereon is operable to translate in relation to the source (18) and the detector array (20). The source (18) and the detector array (20) rotate about the translating table (22) as to helically scan the object (12). An image reconstructor (44) is electrically coupled to the detector array (20). The reconstructor (44) determines a set of conjugate samples from the projection data and reconstructs an image by interpolating a set of projections corresponding to at least one plane of reconstruction in response to the set of conjugate samples, using convolutional scaling to produce a set of final weights. A method of reconstructing an image of an object for the imaging system (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for an improved data acquisition system with an image detector array and an image processing system which finds a malfunctioning cell, interpolates a signal for the malfunctioning cell using neighboring channels of the cell, and corrects the interpolation with an error rate found in performing interpolations on neighboring rows with cells which are not malfunctioning. The image processing system may include a DAS and a reconstruction system. The step of finding a malfunctioning cell may be accomplished through a variety of methods, such as measuring discrepancies between a cell's and its neighboring cell's average readings over time and exposing the cells to x-rays which should produce similar readings in all the cells and comparing the cells' signals, looking for discrepancies. The step of interpolating and the step of correcting may take into consideration cells within the same projection view as the malfunctioning cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to detect tube spits and to reduce spit related artifacts in a computed tomography imaging system. A way of detecting tube spit is to monitor the generator kilovolt or milliamp waveforms. Changes in kV waveform follow closely with those in offset-corrected projection data. If a tube-spit event is not detected, processing proceeds without tube spit correction. If a tube-spit event is detected, a tube spit correction is performed. The objective of tube-spit correction is to remove image artifacts due to the occurrence of a tube-spit event.

Abstract: A method includes scanning an object in a first modality having a first field of view to obtain first modality data including fully sampled field of view data and partially sampled field of view data. The method also includes scanning the object in a second modality having a second field of view larger than the first field of view of obtain second modality data, and reconstructing an image of the object using the second modality data and the first modality partially sampled field of view data.

Abstract: In overlapping reconstruction for multi-slide spiral CT, adjacent slices of an object typically only have small differences. Based on this property, a progressive updating approach for volumetric ct image reconstruction includes a method and apparatus to use the well-known ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) formula or other iterative algorithms for spiral CT overlapping reconstruction. The imaging geometry is assumed to be single-slice helical/spiral scanning. To start with, a complete set of projections is synthesized via linear interpolation of data associated with opposite rays for reconstruction of the first slice. Then, new data are incrementally utilized for reconstruction of subsequent slices by updating the previous slice using the OSEM approach. To overcome accumulative errors, traditional reconstruction from a complete set of projections is performed when it is necessary as is determined by dynamically monitoring the relevant errors.

Abstract: A CT Fluoro system which, in one embodiment, includes an integrated controller, image reconstruction algorithms for increasing the speed of image display, and an enhanced image display, is described. The integrated controller enables the radiologist to maintain control of the system throughout the fluoro scan. The image reconstruction algorithms are generally directed to increasing the image frame rate or reducing image artifacts, or both, in the CT fluoro scan. The image display generally provides enhanced images and control to the radiologist during a scan procedure.

Abstract: A method for generating a simulated patient image is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes obtaining image data from an actual patient image and generating simulated noise data. The image data is then combined with the simulated noise data to create the simulated patient image. In one aspect, scan data from the actual patient image is combined with the generated simulated noise data to create pre-image data, and the pre-image data is then reconstructed to create simulated image data. In another aspect, a set of individual noise pattern images for each a plurality of phantom objects is created. At least one of the individual noise pattern images is selected for combination with the actual patient image. The at least one selected individual noise pattern image is then combined with the actual patient image, thereby creating the simulated patient image.

Abstract: A system and method of acquiring x-ray data, comprising: acquiring a series of x-ray data for generating at least one x-ray image using an x-ray detector to receive x-ray beams from an x-ray source, wherein an object being imaged is displaced along an axis, the axis extending perpendicularly through a plane defined by the x-ray beams, wherein the displacement occurs at, at least one of a constant, accelerating, and decelerating rates; varying the rate of displacement thus enabling the x-ray detector to acquire data for at least one x-ray image during accelerating or decelerating displacement; and employing current modulation.