Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adaptively configuring time delays between scans of a scan sequence performed using an imaging system, to maintain a temperature of components of an X-ray tube of the imaging system within a threshold temperature. A software tool is provided that allows a user to import, modify, and/or create scan sequence protocols (e.g., such as image quality (IQ) protocols) using a dedicated graphical user interface (GUI). The software tool parses the scan sequence protocols, using a thermal physics model of the X-ray tube to calculate a plurality of adaptive delays to be inserted between each scan of the scan sequence, such that all the components of the tube stay within predefined thermal limits for robust IQ or within a thermal range typical of a clinical site's thermal operating range. Each adaptive delay may be of a different length of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of a phantom for calibrating an imaging system are disclosed herein. In one example, a phantom for an imaging system includes a base comprised of a first material, a plurality of layers positioned on the base, each layer of the plurality of layers comprised of the first material or one or more additional materials, and a plug coupled to a front face of the base and the plurality of layers, the plug configured to couple to an accessory slot of a patient table of the imaging system.

Abstract: Computer processing techniques are described for computed tomography (CT) value adjustment of CT images. According to an example, determining, by a system comprising a processor, an adjustment to a calibration vector used to reconstruct CT scan data into first CT image data, wherein determining the adjustment is based on difference between a current CT value of a region in the first CT image data and a target CT value for the region. The method further comprises modifying, by the system, the calibration vector based on the adjustment, resulting in a modified calibration vector, and reconstructing, by the system, the CT scan data into second CT image data using the modified calibration vector, resulting in the region in the second CT image data comprising the target CT value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for repairing a defective segment of a sensor array of a photon counting detector of a photon counting computed tomography (PCCT) imaging system. In one example, a method for a PCCT imaging system comprises dividing a segment of the sensor array into a plurality of sub-segments, wherein each sub-segment of the plurality of sub-segments is electrically coupled to a readout electronics, the readout electronics configured to calculate a photon count for the segment; generating a total photon count for the divided segment based on combined electrical signals produced at each sub-segment of the divided segment; and reconstructing an image based on the total photon count at the divided segment. A defect detected in the divided segment may be traced to a defective sub-segment, which may be isolated from the readout electronics, thereby increasing a quality of the reconstructed image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a medical imaging system. In one example, a method includes identifying a calibration vector to be updated based on an artifact in an image acquired with the medical imaging system, determining calibration data to be obtained with the medical imaging system based on the calibration vector, obtaining the calibration data with the medical imaging system, and updating the calibration vector based on the calibration data.

Abstract: Systems/techniques that facilitate thermally adaptive scan sequencing for computed tomography scanners are provided. In various embodiments, a system can access a set of scanning protocols performable by a computed tomography scanner. In various aspects, the system can further access a current thermal state of the computed tomography scanner. In various instances, the system can identify, in the set of scanning protocols and based on the current thermal state, a scanning protocol that is predicted to reduce or control thermal stresses experienced by the computed tomography scanner. In various cases, the system can cause the computed tomography scanner to perform the identified scanning protocol.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying detector elements in a solid state X-ray detector susceptible to causing line artifacts due to faulty detector elements that leak charge. A portion of the X-ray detector is covered by a radiation occluding material and the detector is exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to reach a predetermined threshold in the exposed portion of the detector. An image representative of the radiation is acquired and further analyzed to determine whether line artifacts exist. Data lines found to exhibit line artifacts are stored in the image processor.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying detector elements in a solid state X-ray detector susceptible to causing line artifacts due to faulty detector elements that leak charge. A portion of the X-ray detector is covered by a radiation occluding material and the detector is exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to reach a predetermined threshold in the exposed portion of the detector. An image representative of the radiation is acquired and further analyzed to determine whether line artifacts exist. Data lines found to exhibit line artifacts are stored in the image processor.