Abstract: A phase contrast x-ray imaging system generates an absorption image and a phase shift image of an object under study. The absorption image represents a measurement of the imaged object's attenuation of radiographic energy, and the phase shift image represents a measurement of the imaged object's phase shifting of the radiographic waves passing through the object. The two images may be used to improve soft tissue discrimination in radiographic imaging.

Abstract: A method for assembling a phase contrast x-ray imaging system includes fabricating a phase grating and an absorption grating according to a preselected pitch of the gratings. The actual obtained pitches are measured and a source grating is then fabricated according to a desired design point of the imaging system.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining differential phase contrast imaging system and methods for same. Method and apparatus embodiments can provide regularized phase contrast retrieval that can address noise reduction and/or edge enhancement. Certain exemplary embodiments can suppress stripe artifacts occurring in the process of integration of noisy differential phase data. Further, certain exemplary embodiments can use transmission images and/or dark-field images to improve or restore phase contrast images affected by noise edges.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector; where the source grating, the phase grating, and the analyzer grating are detuned and a plurality of uncorrelated reference images are obtained for use in imaging processing with the detuned system.

Abstract: A phantom material may be irradiated with varying energy x-rays to determine its phase shift properties. A determination of the difference between those phase shift properties and the phase shift properties of another material of interest can be represented and stored in terms of a polynomial function. The stored function can then be used in combination with a surrogate phantom shaped in the form of another object to obtain the phase shift properties of that other object as if it were made from the material of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a collimator and a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector, where a single arrangement of the beam shaping assembly, the x-ray grating interferometer and a position of the detector is configured to provide spectral information (e.g. at least two images obtained at different relative beam energies).

Abstract: A method and system to determine material composition of an object comprises capturing a series of digital radiographic images of the object using a single exposure energy level. An intensity of the captured images is determined as well as phase shift differences. A difference in material composition of the object may be determined based on a combination of the determined intensity and the modulated phase shifts of the captured images.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a radiographic phase-contrast digital computed tomography imaging system and methods for same that can include obtaining a first and second plurality of 2D projection images over a range of scan angles, generating at least two statistically independent reconstructed images of an object from the first plurality of 2D projection images and the second plurality of 2D projection images, determining a material property as a function of volume for each of at least two materials represented in the projection images, using a conditional likelihood determination comprising the material property as a function of volume and the at least two statistically independent reconstructed images to differentiate the at least two materials in a reconstructed image of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a collimator and a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector, where a single arrangement of the beam shaping assembly, the x-ray grating interferometer and a position of the detector is configured to provide spectral information (e.g. at least two images obtained at different relative beam energies).

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a radiographic phase-contrast digital computed tomography imaging system and methods for same that can include obtaining a first and second plurality of 2D projection images over a range of scan angles, generating at least two statistically independent reconstructed images of an object from the first plurality of 2D projection images and the second plurality of 2D projection images, determining a material property as a function of volume for each of at least two materials represented in the projection images, using a conditional likelihood determination comprising the material property as a function of volume and the at least two statistically independent reconstructed images to differentiate the at least two materials in a reconstructed image of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a collimator and a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector, where the phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods are adjustable for different mean energies of the x-ray source.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital mammography system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a filter or a tunable monochromator, a collimator, a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector; where the source grating, the phase grating, and the analyzer grating are aligned in such a way that the grating bars of these gratings are parallel to each other.