Abstract: A compression unit for a combined x-ray and ultrasound examination device and an examination device. The handling of the combined x-ray and ultrasound examination device is simplified by providing a compression unit with a compression surface which is permeable to x-rays and ultrasound and which is, or can be, coupled to a support element of the examination device irrespective of the existence of a mechanical and/or electrical connection between the ultrasound unit and the examination device.

Abstract: A method records a tomosynthesis data set of a breast of a patient with an X-ray device. The device contains an X-ray detector for the support of the breast, a compression plate for the breast and being parallel to the X-ray detector, and an X-ray source, which is movable in a basic angle interval around a central position, in which the midperpendicular of the detector area corresponds to the central ray of the X-ray source. The tomosynthesis data set is reconstructed from projection images recorded at different projection angles over a recording interval. A recording angle interval that is asymmetrical relative to the central position is used in the case of an asymmetrically positioned breast, in particular for an MLO view.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous imaging of functional and morphological image data of a breast includes acquiring functional X-ray image data from the breast of a patient. In addition, morphological X-ray image data is acquired from the breast of the patient in the same breast position and with the same breast compression. A region of interest is defined on the basis of one of the two acquired data sets. A position of the region of interest is then determined in the other of the two acquired X-ray image data sets. The functional X-ray image data and the morphological X-ray image data are then each simultaneously graphically represented with the region of interest as a marked region. A diagnostic station, a non-transitory computer program product and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are also provided.

Abstract: In a method and tomosynthesis apparatus for combined dual-energy mammography and tomosynthesis imaging of a predetermined volume of an examination subject, while contrast agent is flowing through the volume, an x-ray source is set to radiate x-rays at low and high radiation energy. A pre-shot of the volume is obtained with the high radiation energy, and recording parameters for high-energy images, low-energy images, and low-energy tomosynthesis scans are obtained from the pre-shot. A high-energy image is then obtained, followed by operating the x-ray source at a low energy, and a low-energy tomosynthesis scan of the volume is executed using the recording parameters, and a two-dimensional low-energy image of the volume is generated during the low-energy tomosynthesis scan.

Abstract: A method generates an image sequence using a tomosynthesis system. The image sequence represents an object under examination in rotating fashion. In a first step at least two projection data sets for the object under examination are captured. These have been acquired using different X-ray spectra in each case and from a plurality of acquisition angles in each case. In a further step at least one combination data set is calculated on the basis of the projection data sets. Subsequently in a further step the image sequence is calculated on the basis of the combination data set. An image sequence generating apparatus and a tomosynthesis system perform this described method.

Abstract: In a method for producing 2-D recordings and 3-D recordings of a breast of a patient using an x-ray device that is operable in two recording modes and that has an x-ray radiation source and an x-ray radiation detector, the breast is placed between the x-ray radiation source and the x-ray radiation detector, and the 2-D recordings and the 3-D recordings are generated with the same breast placement. In order to keep the radiation exposure as low as possible in such a multi-mode x-ray device, all recordings are produced without the use of an anti-scatter grid, and a retroactive scattered radiation correction is implemented.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one three-dimensional image data record of a target area from two sets of projection images recorded with x-ray spectra using different energy maxima. A first set of projection images is recorded via a first X-ray spectrum and different first projection directions and a second set of projection images via a second X-ray spectrum and different second projection directions which differ at least partially from the first projection directions. A three-dimensional anatomy image data record is reconstructed from the first and the second projection images. A three-dimensional spectral image data record is reconstructed by a weighted combination of a first three-dimensional reconstruction image data record reconstructed from the first projection images, and a second three-dimensional reconstruction image data record reconstructed from the second projection images. The anatomy image data record and the spectral image data record are displayed.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a gantry of a medical imaging device and an omnidirectional suspension for moving the arrangement relative to a support.

Abstract: A method for generating a combined contrast medium and blood vessel representation of contrast-enhanced image data of breast tissue to be examined includes capturing first and second contrast-medium-influenced x-ray projection measurement data of the breast tissue with respective differing first and second x-ray energies. First and second image data sets are reconstructed based respectively on the first and second measurement data. A dual-energy image data set is ascertained based on the first and the second image data sets. A blood vessel image is ascertained based on at least one image data set. A blood vessel image is represented together with the dual-energy image data set in a combined contrast medium and blood vessel representation. An image data generating system is also provided.

Abstract: In a mammography method and apparatus to generate a tomosynthetic x-ray image of a breast of a patient, two tomosynthesis scans are successively implemented with different x-ray energies. In one of the scans, a synthetic projection image is generated from at least two projection images acquired in this scan, this synthetic projection image corresponding to a projection at a projection angle at which a projection image has been acquired in the other scan. A difference image, used to reconstruct the tomosynthesis x-ray image, is generated from this synthetic projection image and the projection image acquired in the other scan. Alternatively, in each scan a synthetic projection image is generated from at least two projection images acquired in that scan. Each synthetic projection image represents a projection at the same projection angle. A difference image, used to reconstruct the tomosynthesis x-ray image, is generated from these two synthetic projection images.

Abstract: A contrast-enhanced imaging of an object is performed by an imaging device having a movable radiation source. A first projection image sequence of the object along a first trajectory over which the radiation source moves is recorded by radiation having a first energy spectrum. Subsequently, a second projection image sequence of the object along a second trajectory over which the radiation source moves is recorded by radiation having a second energy spectrum. A reconstruction of a three-dimensional subtraction image in relation to the different energy spectra is carried out by the first and second projection image sequence. In addition, a two-dimensional subtraction image in relation to the different energy spectra is reconstructed with the aid of the first and second projection image sequence. In this way, apart from a three-dimensional subtraction image, a two-dimensional subtraction image is also provided for better analysis of object characteristics.

Abstract: A method image scans a female breast in the context of projective digital mammography or tomosynthesis with prefiltered x-ray radiation. From a single scanning two spatially superimposing images are created on the basis of pixel-by-pixel or pixel-group-by-pixel-group different x-ray energy spectra. An x-ray mammography system contains a radiator-detector system having an x-ray tube with a filter for generating a prefiltered x-ray radiation having a first radiation spectrum and a radiation detector containing a multiplicity of partial areas which generate individual image pixels. The radiator-detector system is configured to the effect that the partial areas receive pixel-by-pixel or pixel-group-by-pixel-group different radiation spectra, such that the two images from different x-ray spectra are received with a single scanning of the female breast.

Abstract: Contrast-enhanced image data of breast tissue to be examined is generated. First two-dimensional contrast-agent-influenced x-ray projection data of the breast tissue are acquired at a first x-ray beam energy and a two-dimensional image data record is generated on the basis of the first two-dimensional x-ray projection data. Second two-dimensional contrast-agent-influenced x-ray projection data are acquired from different projection angles at a second x-ray beam energy that differs from the first x-ray beam energy and a three-dimensional tomosynthesis image data record of the breast tissue is reconstructed from the detected second two-dimensional x-ray projection data. Subsequently, a two-dimensional synthetic mammogram is calculated on the basis of the three-dimensional tomosynthesis image data record and a two-dimensional dual-energy mammogram is established by subtracting the image data of the synthetic mammogram from the image data of the two-dimensional image data record.

Abstract: A method records a tomosynthesis data set of a breast of a patient with an X-ray device. The device contains an X-ray detector for the support of the breast, a compression plate for the breast and being parallel to the X-ray detector, and an X-ray source, which is movable in a basic angle interval around a central position, in which the midperpendicular of the detector area corresponds to the central ray of the X-ray source. The tomosynthesis data set is reconstructed from projection images recorded at different projection angles over a recording interval. A recording angle interval that is asymmetrical relative to the central position is used in the case of an asymmetrically positioned breast, in particular for an MLO view.

Abstract: In a method and x-ray device to determine a three-dimensional target image data set showing at least one partial region of interest of an acquisition region, wherein the image data of the three-dimensional target image data set are reconstructed from two-dimensional projection images acquired from various projection directions, first projection images are acquired without a collimation of the radiation source from first projection directions and a three-dimensional overview image data set of the acquisition region is reconstructed from the first projection images. The partial region of interest is selected in the overview image data set. Second projection images are acquired, with collimation at the partial region, from second projection directions, the second projection directions differing from the first projection directions. The target image data set showing the acquisition region and the partial region of interest is reconstructed from all first and second projection images.

Abstract: In a method for producing 2-D recordings and 3-D recordings of a breast of a patient using an x-ray device that is operable in two recording modes and that has an x-ray radiation source and an x-ray radiation detector, the breast is placed between the x-ray radiation source and the x-ray radiation detector, and the 2-D recordings and the 3-D recordings are generated with the same breast placement. In order to keep the radiation exposure as low as possible in such a multi-mode x-ray device, all recordings are produced without the use of an anti-scatter grid, and a retroactive scattered radiation correction is implemented.

Abstract: In a method and tomosynthesis apparatus for combined dual-energy mammography and tomosynthesis imaging of a predetermined volume of an examination subject, while contrast agent is flowing through the volume, an x-ray source is set to radiate x-rays at low and high radiation energy. A pre-shot of the volume is obtained with the high radiation energy, and recording parameters for high-energy images, low-energy images, and low-energy tomosynthesis scans are obtained from the pre-shot. A high-energy image is then obtained, followed by operating the x-ray source at a low energy, and a low-energy tomosynthesis scan of the volume is executed using the recording parameters, and a two-dimensional low-energy image of the volume is generated during the low-energy tomosynthesis scan.

Abstract: In a control method and a control unit to control a high-energy, tomosynthesis scan in a contrast agent-assisted dual-energy tomosynthesis, image data of a first tomosynthesis scan are evaluated in order to determine the respective greyscale values for all volume segments. A tube current-time product value for every greyscale value is stored in a memory. For every projection angle, a calculation unit can thereupon calculate a tube current-time product value and acquisition parameters and result with which the second high-energy tomosynthesis scan is controlled.

Abstract: In a mammography method and apparatus to generate a tomosynthetic x-ray image of a breast of a patient, two tomosynthesis scans are implemented in chronological succession with x-ray energies that differ from one another. In one of the two tomosynthesis scans a synthetic projection image is generated from at least two projection images acquired in this tomosynthesis scan, this synthetic projection image corresponding to a projection at a projection angle at which a projection image has been acquired in the other tomosynthesis scan. A difference image that is used to reconstruct the tomosynthesis x-ray image is generated from this synthetic projection image and the projection image acquired in the other tomosynthesis scan. Alternatively, in each tomosynthesis scan a respective synthetic projection image is generated from at least two respective projection images acquired in that tomosynthesis scan. Each synthetic projection image represents a projection at the same projection angle.

Abstract: A mammography installation or a mammography system allows x-ray projections of the breasts for at least one 3D volume image to be calculated with and without a contrast agent progression, and without repositioning of the patient within an examination cycle.