Abstract: A medical imaging system comprises an image data acquisition module to acquire imaging data and a motion detection module to acquire motion information. A reconstruction module reconstructs image datasets from the imaging data and with use of the motion information to correct for motion. The motion detection module is provided with a shape-sensing photonic fibre system to provide a photonic output representative of the spatial shape of the photonic fibre and an arithmetic unit to compute the motion information on the basis of the photonic output.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a generally stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (106), rotatably supported by the generally stationary gantry (102), that rotates about a longitudinal axis around an examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a radiation source (112) that emits a radiation beam that traverses the examination region. The radiation source (112) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to translate in a direction of the longitudinal axis with respect to the rotating gantry (106) while scanning a subject in the examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a detector array (120) that detects the radiation beam that traverses the examination region and generates a signal indicative thereof. The detector array (120) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to move in coordination with the radiation source (112) while scanning the subject in the examination region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system for imaging an object. Projection data of the object are acquired by using a radiation source emitting primary radiation (14) from a primary focal spot (15) and unwanted secondary radiation (16) from secondary focal spots (17). A first image of the object is reconstructed from the acquired projection data, a forward projection of the secondary radiation through the first image is simulated for generating secondary projection data, and a second image is generated based on the acquired projection data and the secondary projection data. Since the secondary projection data, which can generally cause image artifacts, are determined, the reconstruction unit can consider these unwanted secondary projection data while reconstructing the second image, in order to reduce the influence of the secondary projection data on the reconstructed second image, thereby improving the image quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system for imaging a region of interest, in particular to a computed tomography system. First data for generating an image of the region of interest are provided, which are used by a reconstruction unit (12) for reconstructing an image of the region of interest using an adaptable artefact correction method. Second data are provided by simulating the providing of the first data using the reconstructed image of the region of interest by a second data providing unit (13). A deviation determination unit (14) determines a deviation between the first and second data. An adaptation unit (15) adapts the artefact correction method such that the deviation between the first and second data is reduced and the reconstruction unit (12) reconstructs an image of the region of interest from first the data using the adapted artefact correction method.

Abstract: A method is provided for using CT imaging data to characterize the movement of a moving object. The method calculates one or more motion values based on motion vectors which are representative of the object's movement. The moving object may be, for example, a beating heart.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source (106, T1, T2, T3) that rotates about an examination region and emits radiation that traverses the examination region. The radiation source (106, T1, T2, T3) emits radiation having an energy spectrum that is selectively alternately switched between at least two different energy spectra during an imaging procedure. The system further includes an energy-resolving detector array (116, D1, D2, D3) that detects radiation traversing the examination region. The energy-resolving detector array (116, D1, D2, D3) resolves the detected radiation over at least two different energy ranges and produces energy-resolved output signals as a function of both emission energy spectrum and energy range. The system further includes a reconstructor (126) that performs a spectral reconstruction of the energy-resolved output signals. In another embodiment, the detector array (116) includes a photon-counting detector array (116).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for generating an image of a region of interest. The imaging apparatus comprises a radiation source (2), a detection unit (6) for generating detection data and a moving unit (1, 7, 8) for moving the radiation source (2) and the region of interest relative to each other, while the detection data are generated. The imaging apparatus further comprises an identification unit (13) for identifying in the detection data high density detection data and non-high density detection data. A density weighting unit (14) density weights the detection data, wherein at least a part of the high density detection data has a smaller density weight than the non-high density detection data, and a reconstruction unit (15) reconstructs an image of the region of interest from the weighted detection data.

Abstract: A scanning method and apparatus useful for correcting artifacts which may appear in a primary short circular CT scan are provided. A secondary helical scan performed on a stationary subject, or a secondary circular scan, may be used to correct for artifacts. The secondary scan may be performed with a smaller radiation dosage than the primary circular CT scan.

Abstract: A reconstruction method for an image of an object, the reconstruction method comprising receiving a first projection data set representing information about said object, receiving a second projection data set representing information about said object, reconstructing a first image of said object using the first projection data set, reconstructing a second image of said object using the second projection data set, performing a registration between the first image and the second image, and fusing the first image and the second image to said image of said object, wherein the first projecting data set and the second projecting data set are achieved by using a single radiation type.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. A controller activates the radiation source to emit radiation and deactivates the radiation source to stop radiation emission. The controller selectively activates the radiation source to emit radiation at one or more pre-determined angles. In another embodiment, the imaging system includes a data processing component that generates a virtual three dimensional image of an object of interest of the scanned subject based on the image data. In another embodiment, the imaging system is in a communication with a data manipulation and packaging component that generates at least a two dimensional or a three dimensional data set based on the volumetric image data and packages the data set in an object provided to a remote system that manipulates and navigates through the data set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to improve CT image acquisition using a displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102) and a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined based on the size of the object (108). The source and the detector may be adjusted to vary the size of the transverse field of view. The first data set acquired by the detector may be reconstructed and used to simulate missing projection data that could not be acquired by the detector at each projection angle. The measured projection data and the simulated projection data may be used to obtain a second data set. The second data set may be compared to the first data set to produce a corrected data set.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source (110) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. A controller (116) activates the radiation source (110) to emit radiation and deactivates the radiation source (110) to stop radiation emission. The controller (116) selectively activates the radiation source (110) to emit radiation at one or more pre-determined angles. In another embodiment, the imaging system includes a data processing component (124) that generates a virtual three dimensional image of an object of interest of the scanned subject based on the image data. In another embodiment, the imaging system is in a communication with a data manipulation and packaging component (128) that generates at least a two dimensional or a three dimensional data set based on the volumetric image data and packages the data set in an object provided to a remote system (132) that manipulates and navigates through the data set.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus (10) includes spaced radiation sources (82, 84), such as anodes, which each propagate a cone-beam of radiation (40, 50) into an examination region (14). A detector (22) detects radiation which has passed through the examination region. An attenuation system (55) interposed between the radiation sources and the examination region for cone-angle dependent filtering of the cone beams. The attenuation system allows rays which contribute little to a reconstructed image to be attenuated more than rays which contribute more.

Abstract: Since the soft tissue levels in an image usually comprise a variety of values between air and bone boundaries, it may not be obvious a priori what threshold value applies. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an examination apparatus is provided which is adapted for determining the optimal weight for subtraction of a soft tissue correction image without performing a multitude of forward and backward projections. This may be provided determining a roughness function based on a plurality of subtractions of the soft tissue streak image, each subtraction corresponding to a different weighting of the streak image.

Abstract: A method is provided for imaging a portion of a patient that moves as a patient breathes. A motion map is produced of the portion's motion during a breathing cycle of the patient. A scanning protocol is generated using information obtained from the motion map for a given source/detector position and a given point in the breathing cycle. The scanning protocol comprises at least one setting for at least one imaging apparatus component such that a desired amount of x-ray dosage is applied to the portion of the patient at the given source/detector position and the given point in the breathing cycle. An imaging scan is performed of the portion of the patient. The at least one imaging apparatus component is adjusted during the imaging scan.

Abstract: It is described a filter (300) for at least partially compensating for an X-ray tube (10) the target angle heel effect and preserving the tungsten spectrum of the X-rays. The filter (300) has an anode side (302) and a cathode side (304), wherein the cathode side (304) has a higher attenuation coefficient than the anode side (302). The attenuation coefficient is determined to at least partially compensate for the target angle heel effect. The filter (300) is from the same material as an anode plate (110) or the anode (108) of the X-raysource (10) which is usually tungsten or a tungsten alloy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.

Abstract: A method is provided for using CT imaging data to characterize the movement of a moving object. The method calculates one or more motion values based on motion vectors which are representative of the object's movement. The moving object may be, for example, a beating heart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to improve CT image acquisition using a displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102) and a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined based on the size of the object (108). The source and the detector may be adjusted to vary the size of the transverse field of view. The first data set acquired by the detector may be reconstructed and used to simulate missing projection data that could not be acquired by the detector at each projection angle. The measured projection data and the simulated projection data may be used to obtain a second data set. The second data set may be compared to the first data set to produce a corrected data set.