Abstract: A circuit arrangement and method for operating such is provided. The method includes receiving a voltage signal with a voltage level (IVL) by first and second comparators, comparing the IVL to a first voltage level (FVL), comparing the IVL to a second voltage level (SVL), incrementing a first counter assigned to the first comparator once the IVL is higher than the FVL, incrementing the first counter again after the IVL being lower and higher again than the FVL, incrementing a second counter assigned to the second comparator once the IVL is higher than the SVL, incrementing the second counter again after the IVL being lower and higher again than the SVL, and incrementing the first counter again once the second counter was incremented twice without the first counter being incremented in between, wherein the absolute value of the FVL is lower than the absolute value of the SVL.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiological instrument (100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800) comprising at least one pulse shaper circuit (102) configured for a direct conversion radiation detector (108). The at least one pulse shaper circuit comprises an amplifier (110). The pulse shaper further comprises a feedback circuit (118) connected in parallel with the amplifier; a first switching unit (120) connected in series with the feedback circuit; a second switching unit (122) connected in parallel with the amplifier; a discriminator circuit (124) that provides a discriminator signal (128) when the output exceeds a controllable signal threshold; and a control unit (124) for controlling the first switching unit and the second switching unit, wherein the control unit controls the second switching unit such that a substantial part of the signal is integrated, when the second switching unit is closed.

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 photon counting. In particular, a photon-counting data acquisition module is provided. The photon-counting data acquisition module comprises a signal input unit and one or more data acquisition channels, each channel adapted for converting at least one train of pulses received from the signal input unit to a counter signal. Each data acquisition channel comprises a pulse maximum identifier and a discriminator/counter pair comprising a discriminator and a counter. The pulse maximum identifier is configured to identify a maximum of a pulse in the at least one received train of pulses. The discriminator is configured to be triggered, by a detection of a maximum of a pulse in the at least one received train of pulses, to compare the pulse with at least one signal threshold to generate the counter signal. Alternatively, the counter is configured to be enabled in response to a detection of a maximum of a pulse to generate the counter signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photon counting detector comprising a plurality of detector tiles. Each detector tile comprises a sensor material layer (20), an integrated circuit (30), an input/output connection or flex (50), a high voltage electrode or foil (60), and an anti scatter grid (10). The input/output connection or flex is connected to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is configured to readout signals from the sensor material layer. The anti scatter grid is positioned adjacent to a surface of the sensor material layer. The high voltage electrode or foil extends across the surface of the sensor material layer and is configured to provide a bias voltage to the surface of the sensor material layer. The high voltage electrode or foil comprises at least one tail section (70).

Abstract: An X-ray detector comprises a first scintillator layer, a second scintillator layer, a first photodiode array, a second photodiode array, and at least one light emitting layer. The first scintillator layer is configured to absorb X-rays from an X-ray pulse and emit light. The first photodiode array is positioned adjacent to the first scintillator layer and is configured to detect at least some of the light emitted by the first scintillator layer. The second scintillator layer is configured to absorb X-rays from the X-ray pulse and emit light. The second photodiode array is positioned adjacent to the second scintillator layer and is configured to detect at least some of the light emitted by the second scintillator layer. The at least one light emitting layer is configured to emit radiation such that at least some of the emitted radiation irradiates the first photodiode array, and at least some of the emitted radiation irradiates the second photodiode array.

Abstract: System (SYS) for supporting X-ray imaging and related methods. The system (SYS) comprises a machine learning module (MLM), a logic (LG) configured to compute output correction information for adjusting an imaging geometry of an X-ray imaging apparatus to achieve a target imaging geometry. A modulator (MOD,L-MOD, H-MOD, S-MOD) is the system is configured to provide a user instruction for imaging geometry adjustment. The user instruction is modulated based on the output correction information. The machine learning module was previously trained on training data including a specific user's responses to previous instructions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging system (10), comprising a radiograph X-ray attenuation image acquisition unit (20), at least one sensor (30), and a processing unit (40). The radiograph X-ray attenuation image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a radiograph image of a patient. The radiograph X-ray attenuation image acquisition unit is configured to provide the radiograph image to the processing unit. The at least one sensor is configured to acquire sensor data of the patient. The at least one sensor is configured to provide the sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine a magnitude and direction of movement of the patient during a time of acquisition of the radiograph image, the determination comprising utilization of the sensor data.

Abstract: An X-ray source for emitting an X-ray beam is proposed. The X-ray source comprises an anode and an emitter arrangement comprising a cathode for emitting an electron beam towards the anode and an electron optics for focusing the electron beam at a focal spot on the anode. The X-ray source further comprises a controller configured to determine a switching action of the emitter arrangement and to actuate the emitter arrangement to perform the switching action, the switching action being associated with a change of at least one of a position of the focal spot on the anode, a size of the focal spot, and a shape of the focal spot. The controller is further configured to predict before the switching action is performed, based on the determined switching action, the size and the shape of the focal spot expected after the switching action. Further, the controller is configured to actuate the electron optics to compensate for a change of the size and the shape of the focal spot induced by the switching action.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiological instrument (100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800) comprising at least one pulse shaper circuit (102) configured for a direct conversion radiation detector (108). The at least one pulse shaper circuit comprises an amplifier (110). The pulse shaper further comprises a feedback circuit (118) connected in parallel with the amplifier; a first switching unit (120) connected in series with the feedback circuit; a second switching unit (122) connected in parallel with the amplifier; a discriminator circuit (124) that provides a discriminator signal (128) when the output exceeds a controllable signal threshold; and a control unit (124) for controlling the first switching unit and the second switching unit, wherein the control unit controls the second switching unit such that a substantial part of the signal is integrated, when the second switching unit is closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) and a method for correcting a number of counts (115) in an energy bin of X-ray photons detected by a photon counting detector (111) for a spectral computed tomography system (300). An illumination history (125) of the photon counting detector is taken into account to determine a gain and/or an offset of the photon counting detector. The number of counts in an energy bin of detected photons is corrected according to a correction value (135) corresponding to the determined gain and/or offset.

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 a photon counting detector comprising a plurality of detector tiles. Each detector tile comprises a sensor material layer (20), an integrated circuit (30), an input/output connection or flex (50), a high voltage electrode or foil (60), and an anti scatter grid (10). The input/output connection or flex is connected to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is configured to readout signals from the sensor material layer. The anti scatter grid is positioned adjacent to a surface of the sensor material layer. The high voltage electrode or foil extends across the surface of the sensor material layer and is configured to provide a bias voltage to the surface of the sensor material layer. The high voltage electrode or foil comprises at least one tail section (70).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation detector (100) comprising: i) a substrate (110); ii) a sensor, which is coupled to the substrate, the sensor comprising a first array (120) of sensor pixels, a second array (130) of signal read-out elements, and an electronic circuitry which is configured to provide image data based on signals received from the signal read-out elements; iii) a transducer, which is coupled to the substrate and to the sensor, the transducer comprising a third array (140) of subpixels, wherein at least two subpixels are assigned to one sensor pixel; wherein the second array of signal read-out elements and the third array of subpixels correspond to each other; wherein each of the subpixels comprises a radiation conversion material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray detector (10) comprising two or more scintillator layers, comprising: a first scintillator layer (20); a second scintillator layer (30); a first photodiode array (40); a second photodiode array (50); and at least one light emitting layer (60). The first scintillator layer is configured to absorb X-rays from an X-ray pulse and emit light. The first photodiode array is positioned adjacent to the first scintillators layer. The first photodiode array is configured to detect at least some of the light emitted by the first scintillator layer. The second scintillator layer is configured to absorb X-rays from the X-ray pulse and emit light. The second photodiode array is positioned adjacent to the second scintillator layer. The second photodiode array is configured to detect at least some of the light emitted by the second scintillator layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photon counting detector comprising a first direct conversion layer (10) comprising a low-absorption direct conversion material (11) for converting impinging high-energy electromagnetic radiation (100) into a first count signal and first electrical contacts (12), a second direct conversion layer (20) comprising a high-absorption direct conversion material (21) for converting impinging high-energy electromagnetic radiation (100) into a second count signal and second electrical contacts (22), said high-absorption direct conversion material having a higher absorption than said low-absorption direct conversion material, and a carrier layer (30, 30a, 30b) comprising first and second terminals (31, 32) in contact with the first and second electrical contacts and processing circuitry (35) configured to correct, based on the first count signal, the second count signal for errors, wherein said first direct conversion layer and the second direct conversion layer are arranged such that

Abstract: A radiation detector (100) adapted for detecting leakage currents is disclosed and comprises a direct conversion material (101) for converting incident radiation, at least one first electrode (108) and a plurality of second electrodes (103) connected to surfaces of the direct conversion material (101) for collecting each generated charges upon application of an electric field, at least one current measurement device (201), and a plurality of signal processing chains (210, 220, 230). Each signal processing chain comprises a readout unit (215, 216, 217, 218, 219) for discriminating between energy values with respect to the incident radiation, and a switching element (214) for sending signals on a first signal path (2141) electrically connecting one of the plurality of second electrodes with the readout unit, or on a second signal path electrically connecting the one of the plurality of second electrodes with an input to one of the at least one current measurement devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photon counting. In particular, a photon-counting data acquisition module is provided. The photon-counting data acquisition module comprises a signal input unit and one or more data acquisition channels, each channel adapted for converting at least one train of pulses received from the signal input unit to a counter signal. Each data acquisition channel comprises a pulse maximum identifier and a discriminator/counter pair comprising a discriminator and a counter. The pulse maximum identifier is configured to identify a maximum of a pulse in the at least one received train of pulses. The discriminator is configured to be triggered, by a detection of a maximum of a pulse in the at least one received train of pulses, to compare the pulse with at least one signal threshold to generate the counter signal. Alternatively, the counter is configured to be enabled in response to a detection of a maximum of a pulse to generate the counter signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for imaging an object in an x-ray imaging mode and in a gamma imaging mode. A radiation detector (1) of the system comprises a conversion unit (202) including a plurality of detector pixels (2061, . . . ,M) and generating for each detection event a detection signal indicative of an energy of the event, and a counting unit (203) including for each detector pixel (2061, . . . ,M) a plurality of comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) and associating each detection event to one of a plurality of predetermined energy bins based on the detection signals using the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N). In the x-ray imaging mode, the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) of one pixel (2061, . . . ,M), and in the gamma imaging mode, the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) of several pixels (2061, . . . ,M) are available for the association so that more energy bins are available in the gamma imaging mode than in the x-ray imaging mode.

Abstract: A detector includes a first detection layer (1141) and a second detector layer (1142). The first and second detection layers include a first and second scintillator (204, 7041) (216, 7042), a first and second active photosensing region (210, 7081) (220, 7082), a first portion (206, 7261) of a first substrate (208, 7061), and a second portion (218, 7262) of a second substrate (208, 7062). An imaging system (100) includes a radiation source (110), a radiation sensitive detector array (108) comprising a plurality of multi-layer detectors (112), and a reconstructor (118) configured to reconstruct an output of the detector array and produces an image. The detector array includes a first detection layer and a second detector layer with a first and second scintillator, a first and second active photosensing region, a first portion of a first substrate, and a second portion of a second substrate.