Abstract: The disclosure relates to an X-ray imaging system for acquiring two-dimensional or three-dimensional images of a subject. A relative position of an X-ray emitting region, as seen in a coordinate system which is stationary relative to an anti-scatter arrangement and/or an X-ray sensitive surface is controlled so that a first and a second image are acquired at different relative positions of the X-ray emitting region relative to the anti-scatter arrangement and/or the X-ray sensitive surface (10). A data processing system of the imaging system generates an output image, based on each of the images. In the output image, artefacts generated by the anti-scatter arrangement, are reduced, suppressed or eliminated compared to the first and the second image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for processing of data acquired by a dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system, the apparatus comprising an input unit (20), and a processing unit (30). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with blank scan fringe data acquired by a dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system comprising an interferometry arrangement and detector. The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with sample scan fringe data acquired by the dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system, with an object to be imaged is positioned within the dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system. The processing unit is configured to pre-process the blank scan fringe data to determine pre- processed blank scan fringe data comprising utilization of an effective point spread function “PSF”.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an X-ray imaging system for acquiring two-dimensional or three- dimensional images of a subject. A relative position of an X-ray emitting region, as seen in a coordinate system which is stationary relative to an anti-scatter arrangement and/or an X-ray sensitive surface is controlled so that a first and a second image are acquired at different relative positions of the X-ray emitting region relative to the anti-scatter arrangement and/or the X-ray sensitive surface (10). A data processing system of the imaging system generates an output image, based on each of the images. In the output image, artefacts generated by the anti-scatter arrangement, are reduced, suppressed or eliminated compared to the first and the second image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for processing of data acquired by a dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system, the apparatus comprising an input unit (20), and a processing unit (30). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with blank scan fringe data acquired by a dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system comprising an interferometry arrangement and detector. The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with sample scan fringe data acquired by the dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system, with an object to be imaged is positioned within the dark-field and/or phase contrast X-ray imaging system. The processing unit is configured to pre-process the blank scan fringe data to determine pre- processed blank scan fringe data comprising utilization of an effective point spread function “PSF”.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spectral correction. A spectral correction apparatus is described that is configured to identify a voltage fluctuation in the X-ray tube and to parameterize the high voltage fluctuation to correct the effective X-ray spectrum per individual frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an effective energy spectrum of an X-ray tube. It is described to provide (210) a temporally varying acceleration voltage of an X-ray tube for a time period. A temporally varying X-ray tube current is also provided (220) for the time period. At least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and a time interval is determined (230). An effective energy spectrum of the X-ray tube processing the X-ray tube is determined (250) as a function of the at least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and the time interval and as a function of the voltage of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system for generating X-ray projections of an object, the X-ray imaging system including an X-ray device having a single X-ray source (110) for forming a plurality of X-ray beams (104), a filter (120) positioned within the plurality of X-ray beams, an object space where the object to be imaged is accommodated, and an X-ray detector (150) including an array of a plurality of pixels (151 . . . 155). The X-ray device, the filter, and the plurality of pixels are configured such that at least one pixel is exposed to the plurality of X-ray beams. X-ray radiation received by a particular pixel undergoes a same spectral filtration by the filter. Pixels receiving the X-ray radiation undergoing the same spectral filtration are summarized to a pixel subset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an effective energy spectrum of an X-ray tube. It is described to provide (210) a temporally varying acceleration voltage of an X-ray tube for a time period. A temporally varying X-ray tube current is also provided (220) for the time period. At least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and a time interval is determined (230). An effective energy spectrum of the X-ray tube processing the X-ray tube is determined (250) as a function of the at least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and the time interval and as a function of the voltage of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector (22?) for detecting ionizing radiation, comprising: a directly converting semi-conductor layer (36) for producing charge carriers in response to incident ionizing radiation; and a plurality of electrodes (34) corresponding to pixels for registering the charge carriers and generate a signal corresponding to registered charge carriers; wherein an electrode of the plurality of electrodes (34) is structured to two-dimensionally intertwine with at least two adjacent electrodes to register the charge carriers by said electrode and by at least one adjacent electrode. The present invention further relates to a detection method and to an imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector (22?) for detecting ionizing radiation, comprising: a directly converting semi-conductor layer (36) for producing charge carriers in response to incident ionizing radiation; and a plurality of electrodes (34) corresponding to pixels for registering the charge carriers and generate a signal corresponding to registered charge carriers; wherein an electrode of the plurality of electrodes (34) is structured to two-dimensionally intertwine with at least two adjacent electrodes to register the charge carriers by said electrode and by at least one adjacent electrode. The present invention further relates to a detection method and to an imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system for generating X-ray projections of an object, the X-ray imaging system including an X-ray device having a single X-ray source (110) for forming a plurality of X-ray beams (104), a filter (120) positioned within the plurality of X-ray beams, an object space where the object to be imaged is accommodated, and an X-ray detector (150) including an array of a plurality of pixels (151 . . . 155). The X-ray device, the filter, and the plurality of pixels are configured such that at least one pixel is exposed to the plurality of X-ray beams. X-ray radiation received by a particular pixel undergoes a same spectral filtration by the filter. Pixels receiving the X-ray radiation undergoing the same spectral filtration are summarized to a pixel subset.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) and an associated method for the detection of (e.g. X or ?-) radiation. The detector (100) comprises a converter element (110) in which incident photons (X) are converted into electrical signals, and an array of anodes (130) for generating an electrical field (E) in the converter element (110). At least two anodes are associated with two steering electrodes (140) to which different potentials can be applied by a control unit (150). Preferably, each single anode or small group of anodes is surrounded by one steering electrode. The potentials of the steering electrodes (140) may be set as a function of the potentials that are induced in these electrodes when an operating voltage is applied between the anodes and a cathode (120). Moreover, a grid electrode (160) may be provided that at least partially encircles anodes (130) and their steering electrodes (140).

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) comprising a converter element (102) for converting incident high-energy radiation (X) into charge signals. A cathode (101) and an array (104) of anodes (103) are disposed on different sides of the converter element (102) for generating an electrical field (E0, Ed) within it. The strength of said electrical field (E0, Ed) is increased in a first region (Rd) near the anode array (104) with respect to a second region (R0) remote from it. Such an increase may be achieved by doping the first region (Rd) with an electron acceptor. The increased field strength in the first region (Rd) favorably affects the sharpness of charge pulses generated by incident radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (200), particularly an X-ray detector, which comprises at least one sensitive layer (212) for the conversion of incident photons (X) into electrical signals. A two-dimensional array of electrodes (213) is located on the front side of the sensitive layer (212), while its back side carries a counter-electrode (211). The size of the electrodes (213) may vary in radiation direction (y) for adapting the counting workload of the electrodes. Moreover, the position of the electrodes (213) with respect to the radiation direction (y) provides information about the energy of the detected photons (X).

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) comprising a converter element (102) for converting incident high-energy radiation (X) into charge signals. A cathode (101) and an array(104) of anodes (103) are disposed on different sides of the converter element(102) for generating an electrical field (E0, Ed) within it The strength of said electrical field (E0, Ed) is increased in a first region(Rd) near the anode array(104) with respect to a second region(R0) remote from it. Such an increase may be achieved by doping the first region(Rd) with an electron acceptor. The increased field strength in the first region (Rd) favorably affects the sharpness of charge pulses generated by incident radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) and an associated method for the detection of (e.g. X or ?-) radiation. The detector (100) comprises a converter element (110) in which incident photons (X) are converted into electrical signals, and an array of anodes (130) for generating an electrical field (E) in the converter element (110). At least two anodes are associated with two steering electrodes (140) to which different potentials can be applied by a control unit (150). Preferably, each single anode or small group of anodes is surrounded by one steering electrode. The potentials of the steering electrodes (140) may be set as a function of the potentials that are induced in these electrodes when an operating voltage is applied between the anodes and a cathode (120). Moreover, a grid electrode (160) may be provided that at least partially encircles anodes (130) and their steering electrodes (140).

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector and a method for its production, wherein a series of converter plates (110) and interconnect layers (120), which extend into a border volume (BV) lateral of the converter plates (110), are stacked. By filling voids in the border volume (BV) with an underfill material and cutting through the border volume, a contact surface (CS) is generated in which electrical leads (123) of the interconnect layers (120) lie free. To allow a good contacting, said leads (123) are preferably provided with enlargements in the contact surface, for example by bonding wires (132) to them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector and a method for its production, wherein a series of converter plates (110) and interconnect layers (120), which extend into a border volume (BV) lateral of the converter plates (110), are stacked. By filling voids in the border volume (BV) with an underfill material and cutting through the border volume, a contact surface (CS) is generated in which electrical leads (123) of the interconnect layers (120) lie free. To allow a good contacting, said leads (123) are preferably provided with enlargements in the contact surface, for example by bonding wires (132) to them.

Abstract: The invention relates to an Anti-Scatter-Grid (ASG) with lamellae (2) that absorb incident radiation (1, 8) and that produce an electrical signal proportional to the amount of absorbed radiation. The lamellae (2) may particularly consist of a semiconductor material in which photons produce electron-hole pairs that can be detected with the help of electrodes (3, 4, 6) on the sidewalls of the lamellae (2). The amount of absorbed scattered (8) or primary (1) radiation may thus be determined in a spatially resolved way, allowing to correct the image generated by an array (5) of sensor units (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining a detector energy weighting function of a detection unit (6). The apparatus comprises a determination unit (21) for determining a spectral response function of the detection unit (6) and a calculation unit (22) for determining the detector energy weighting function by integrating the product of the spectral response function of the detection unit (6) and a given ideal detector energy weighting function.