Abstract: A CT detector includes a plurality of metallized anodes with each metallized anode separated from another metallized anode by a gap. A direct conversion material is electrically coupled to the plurality of metallized anodes and has a charge sharing region in which an electrical charge generated by an x-ray impinging the direct conversion material is shared between at least two of the plurality of metallized anodes. An x-ray attenuating material is positioned to attenuate x-rays directed toward the charge sharing region.

Abstract: ECG and ultrasound data of the heart are received in real-time during a scan. CT projection data is also acquired and an image is reconstructed based on the CT projection data, ECG data, and ultrasound data.

Abstract: A detector module for a CT imaging system is provided. The detector module includes a sensor element to convert x-rays to electrical signals. The sensor element is coupled to a data acquisition system (DAS) via an interconnect system, the DAS comprised of an electronic substrate and an integrated circuit. The interconnect system couples the sensor element, electronic substrate, and integrated circuit by way of a contact pad interconnect together with a wire bond interconnect or an additional contact pad interconnect.

Abstract: An adaptive data acquisition circuit (26) includes an amplifier (14) for amplifying electrical pulses generated by a detector (12) responsive to energy incident at the detector. The adaptive data acquisition circuit also includes a counting circuit (28) for counting amplified electrical pulses generated by the amplifier. In addition, the adaptive data acquisition circuit includes a digital logic circuit (30) for determining a pulse parameter indicative of a pulse rate and an amount of energy present in the amplified electrical pulses and for generating a control signal (34) responsive to the pulse parameter for controlling an operating parameter of the data acquisition circuit.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system in an example comprises a high frequency electromagnetic energy source, a detector, a data acquisition system (DAS), and a computer. The high frequency electromagnetic energy source emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged. The detector receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source. The DAS is operably connected to the detector. The computer is operably connected to the DAS and programmed to employ a threshold to trigger a filter operation on a pixel, in a basis material decomposition (BMD) image of a plurality of BMD images, through comparison of an actual noise ratio between a pair of BMD images, of the plurality of BMD images, to a theoretical BMD noise ratio value. The computer operably connected to the DAS is programmed to employ a correlation in noise distribution of the plurality of BMD images to reduce image noise in the plurality of BMD images.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system in an example comprises a high frequency electromagnetic energy source, a detector, a data acquisition system (DAS), and a computer. The high frequency electromagnetic energy source emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged and be resolved by the system. The detector receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source. The DAS is operably connected to the detector. The computer is operably connected to the DAS and programmed to employ an inversion table or function to convert N+2 measured projections at different incident spectra into material specific integrals for N+2 materials that comprise two non K-edge basis materials and N K-edge contrast agents. N comprises an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: ECG and ultrasound data of the heart are acquired in real-time during a scan. A data acquisition module is controlled during the scan to prospectively gate acquisition of CT data as a function of the real-time ECG data and the real-time ultrasound data. An image is reconstructed from the acquired CT data.

Abstract: Various configurations for scatter reduction and control are provided for CT imaging. These configurations include an imaging system having a stationary detector extending generally around a portion of an imaging volume and a distributed X-ray source placed proximal to the stationary detector for radiating an X-ray beam toward the stationary detector. A scatter control system is further provided that is configured to adaptively operate in cooperation with the stationary detector and the distributed X-ray source to focally align collimator septa contained therein to the X-ray beam at a given focal point and to provide X-ray beam scatter control.

Abstract: A detector assembly is presented. The detector assembly includes a first detector layer having a top side and a bottom side, where the first detector layer includes a plurality of first coupling gaps. Additionally, the detector assembly includes a first interconnect structure operationally coupled to the first detector layer and configured to facilitate transfer of a first set of image data from the first detector layer to backplane electronics. The detector assembly also includes a second detector layer having a top side and a bottom side and disposed adjacent the bottom side of the first detector layer, where the second detector layer includes a plurality of second coupling gaps configured to facilitate passage of the first interconnect structure from the first detector layer to the backplane electronics.

Abstract: An adaptive data acquisition circuit (26) includes an amplifier (14) for amplifying electrical pulses generated by a detector (12) responsive to energy incident at the detector. The adaptive data acquisition circuit also includes a counting circuit (28) for counting amplified electrical pulses generated by the amplifier. In addition, the adaptive data acquisition circuit includes a digital logic circuit (30) for determining a pulse parameter indicative of a pulse rate and an amount of energy present in the amplified electrical pulses and for generating a control signal (34) responsive to the pulse parameter for controlling an operating parameter of the data acquisition circuit.

Abstract: An adaptive imaging system includes a detector receiving energy transmitted through a target and generating electrical charge pulses at a pulse rate indicative of an intensity of received energy. The system also includes a switch for selectively coupling the charge pulses from one or more pixel elements of the detector to a charge pulse counter for counting the charge pulses and a charge pulse integrator for integrating the charge pulses. In addition, the system includes a prediction module for predicting a charge pulse rate expected to be produced by the detector and for operating the switch to selectively couple the charge pulses to the counter and the integrator responsive to a predicted charge pulse rate.

Abstract: An electrode assembly having an adjustable active area is provided. The electrode assembly is configured to detect photons. The electrode assembly includes a central readout electrode, and one or more bias control portions. The bias control portions are disposed adjacent to the central readout electrode. The active area is altered by controlling voltages of the bias control portions relative to a voltage of the central readout electrode.

Abstract: An interconnect structure for use in an electronic device, wherein the interconnect structure comprises a first substrate comprising a flexible material, wherein the first substrate comprises a front side and a back side, and wherein the first substrate is configured to receive a sensor on the front side; and a second substrate coupled to the back side of the first substrate and comprising a rigid material. A detector module for use in an imaging system comprises the aforementioned interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method of scanning a subject to be imaged is presented. The method includes acquiring projection data from a first region of a pixel, where the first region has a first area. Additionally, the method includes acquiring projection data from a second region of the pixel, where the second region has a second area. The method also includes combining projection data from the first and second regions to obtain composite projection data for the pixel. Computer-readable medium and systems that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique.

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: An adaptive CT data acquisition system and technique is presented whereby radiation emitted for CT data acquisition is dynamically controlled to limit exposure to those detectors of a CT detector assembly that may be particularly susceptible to saturation during a given data acquisition. The data acquisition technique recognizes that for a given subject size and position that pre-subject filtering and collimating of a radiation beam may be insufficient to completely prevent detector saturation. Therefore, the present invention includes implementation of a number of CT data correction techniques for correcting otherwise unusable data of a saturated CT detector. These data correction techniques include a nearest neighbor correction, off-centered phantom correction, off-centered synthetic data correction, scout data correction, planar radiogram correction, and a number of others.

Abstract: A computed tomography detector module is presented. The detector module includes a substrate having a topside and a bottom side. Additionally, the detector module includes a plurality of detector layers disposed on the top side of the substrate in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the substrate, where each of the plurality of detector layers comprises a direct conversion material configured to absorb radiation, and where each of the plurality of detector layers comprises a first side and a second side. Further, the detector module includes a plurality of pixelated anode contacts is disposed on the first side of each of the plurality of detector layers. Also, the detector module includes a common cathode contact is disposed on the second side of each of the plurality of detector layers.

Abstract: A method for analyzing materials in an object includes acquiring x-ray projection data of the object at high energy and at low energy for a plurality of views. The acquired x-ray projection data is utilized in a material decomposition to determine material densities at each pixel for two selected basis materials. A composition of an object at each pixel is determined utilizing a determined mapping of material density regions for the two selected basis materials. An image indicative of the composition of the object is displayed utilizing the determined composition.

Abstract: A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element.

Abstract: A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element.