Abstract: A system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104), wherein the rotating gantry is rotatably supported by the stationary gantry. The rotating gantry (104) includes a primary source (110) that emits primary radiation and a detector array (116) having at least one row of detector elements (502) extending along a longitudinal axis. The primary source and the detector array are located opposite each other, across an examination region, and the primary radiation traverses a path (112) between the primary source and the detector array and through an examination region (106) and illuminates the at least one row of detector elements of the detector array, which detects the primary radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting low and high x-ray densities is provided for use in CT imaging. Two photodetectors, one having a relatively low dynamic range and the other having a relatively high dynamic range, are coupled to the same transducer. The first photodetector may be, for example, a SiPM which is passively quenched.

Abstract: A vertical radiation sensitive detector array (114) includes at least one detector leaf (118). The detector leaf includes a scintillator array (210, 502, 807, 907), including, at least, a top side (212) which receives radiation, a bottom side (218) and a rear side (214) and a photo-sensor circuit board (200, 803, 903), including a photo-sensitive region (202, 508, 803, 903), optically coupled to the rear side of the scintillator array. The detector leaf further includes processing electronics (406) disposed below the scintillator array, a flexible circuit board (220) electrically coupling the photo-sensitive region and the processing electronics, and a radiation shield (236) disposed below the bottom of the scintillator array, between the scintillator and the processing electronics, thereby shielding the processing electronics from residual radiation passing through the scintillator array. Some embodiments incorporate rare earth iodides such as SrI 2 (Eu).

Abstract: A multi-modality imaging system (100) includes a gantry (101), including at least first and second imaging modalities (102, 104) respectively having first and second bores (113, 112) arranged with respect to each other along a z-axis, and a subject support (108) that supports a subject for scanning. The gantry is configured to alternately move to a first position at which the subject support extends into the first bore of first imaging modality for scanning an extremity of the subject and to a second position at which the subject support extends into the second bore of second imaging modality for scanning the extremity of the subject.

Abstract: A method includes fusing at least three images together into a single fused image, wherein at least one of the three images includes a binary-pattern representation image. A system includes an image processing system (100) that combines an anatomical image, a functional image and a binary-pattern representation image into a single image. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a computer, cause the processor to combine an anatomical image, a functional image, and a binary-pattern representation of a different functional image into a single image such that the anatomical image and the functional image are visible in interspaces between binary points of the binary-pattern representation of the functional image.

Abstract: A method includes generating higher resolution image data based on undersampled higher resolution projection data and incomplete lower resolution projection data. The undersampled higher resolution projection data and the incomplete lower resolution projection data are acquired during different acquisition intervals of the same scan. A system includes a radiation source configured to alternately modulate emission radiation flux between higher and lower fluxes during different integration periods of a scan, a detector array configured to alternately switch detector pixel multiplexing between higher and lower resolutions in coordination with modulation of the fluxes, and a reconstructor configured to reconstruct higher resolution image data based on projection data corresponding to undersampled higher resolution projection data and incomplete lower resolution projection data.

Abstract: A method for enhancing functional image data includes obtaining functional image data, obtaining anatomical image data corresponding to the functional image data, and generating enhanced functional image data by diffusing the functional image data based on the functional image data and the anatomical image data.

Abstract: A computed tomography system includes a radiation sensitive detector element (100) which provides outputs (DL, DH) indicative of the radiation detected in at least first and second energies or energy ranges. Energy resolving photon counters (26) further classify the detector signals according to their respective energies. Correctors (24) correct the classified signals, and a combiner (30) combines the signals according to a combination function to generate outputs (EL, EH) indicative of radiation detected in at least first and second energies or energy ranges.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source (110) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region and a detector (116) that detects radiation traversing the examination region and a subject disposed therein, and produces a signal indicative of the energy of the detected radiation. A data selector (122) energy discriminates the signal based on an energy spectra setting corresponding to first and second spectral characteristics of a contrast agent administered to the subject, wherein the contrast agent has a first attenuation spectral characteristic when attached to the target and a second different spectral characteristic when not attached to the target. A reconstructor (134) reconstructs the signal based on the first and second spectral characteristics and generates volumetric image data indicative of the target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting low and high x-ray densities is provided for use in CT imaging. Two photodetectors, one having a relatively low dynamic range and the other having a relatively high dynamic range, are coupled to the same transducer. The first photodetector may be, for example, a SiPM which is passively quenched.

Abstract: A computed tomography system includes a plurality of radiation sensitive detector elements (100) which generate a time varying signal indicative of x-ray photons received by the various detector elements (100). Photon counters (24) count the photons received by the various detector elements (24). Event-driven energy determiners (26) measure the total energy of the received photons. A mean, energy calculator (46) calculates a mean energy of the photons received by the various detector elements (100) during a plurality of reading periods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an indirect radiation detector for detecting radiation (X), e.g. for medical imaging systems. The detector has an array of pixels (P1-P6), each pixel (P) being sub-divided into at least a first and a second sub-pixel (PE1, PE2). Each sub-pixel has a cross-sectional area (A1, A2) parallel to a surface plane (60) of the array. The cross-sectional area (A1) of the first sub-pixel (PE1) is different, e.g. smaller, from the cross-sectional area (A2) of the second sub-pixel (PE2) to provide a dynamic range of detectable flux densities. Additionally, the first sub-pixel (PE1) has a photosensitive device (PS1) arranged on a side of the sub-pixel, said side being substantially orthogonal to said surface plane of the array of pixels to provide a good optical coupling. The detector allows high-flux photon counting with a relatively simple detector design.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner (10), a reconstructor (46), a polychromatic corrector (50), a material classifier (54) and an image processor (60). The scanner provides spectral CT information. The reconstructor (46) reconstructs the data from the CT scanner (10) into a volume space. The material classifier (54) determines a material composition of locations in the volume space as a function of their location in an attenuation space. Information indicative of the material composition is presented on a display (62).

Abstract: A computed tomography system includes a plurality of radiation sensitive detector elements (100) which generate a time varying signal indicative of x-ray photons received by the various detector elements (100). Photon counters (24) count the photons received by the various detector elements (24). Event-driven energy determiners (26) measure the total energy of the received photons. A mean, energy calculator (46) calculates a mean energy of the photons received by the various detector elements (100) during a plurality of reading periods.

Abstract: A computed tomography system includes a radiation sensitive detector element (100) which provides outputs (DL, DH) indicative of the radiation detected in at least first and second energies or energy ranges. Energy resolving photon counters (26) further classify the detector signals according to their respective energies. Correctors (24) correct the classified signals, and a combiner (30) combines the signals according to a combination function to generate outputs (EL, EH) indicative of radiation detected in at least first and second energies or energy ranges.

Abstract: An apparatus receives signals generated by a detector (100) sensitive to ionizing radiation such as x-rays. A differentiator (204) generates an output indicative of the rate of change of the detector signal. A discriminator (206) classifies the amplitude of the differentiator (204) output. An integrator (208) triggered by the output of the discriminator (206) generates outputs indicative of the detected photons. One or more correctors (24a, 24b) corrects for pulse-pileups, and a combiner (25) uses the outputs of the correctors (24a, 24b) to generate an output signal indicative of the number and energy distribution of the detected photons.

Abstract: An apparatus receives signals generated by a detector (100) sensitive to ionizing radiation such as x-rays. A differentiator (204) generates an output indicative of the rate of change of the detector signal. A discriminator (206) classifies the amplitude of the differentiator (204) output. An integrator (208) triggered by the output of the discriminator (206) generates outputs indicative of the detected photons. One or more correctors (24a, 24b) corrects for pulse-pileups, and a combiner (25) uses the outputs of the correctors (24a, 24b) to generate an output signal indicative of the number and energy distribution of the detected photons.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner (10), a reconstructor (46), a polychromatic corrector (50), a material classifier (54) and an image processor (60). The scanner provides spectral CT information. The reconstructor (46) reconstructs the data from the CT scanner (10) into a volume space. The material classifier (54) determines a material composition of locations in the volume space as a function of their location in an attenuation space. Information indicative of the material composition is presented on a display (62).

Abstract: A computed tomography imaging apparatus includes a radiation detector (16) having detection modules (18) that are skewed in an axial direction (Oz) by a selected angle ?. A radiation source (12) provides focal spot modulation at least between two spots (FS1, FS2) to increase a sampling rate transverse to the axial direction (Oz) for a more isotropic resolution.