Abstract: A method for use in a material decomposition procedure applied to dual-energy CT projection data. Material decomposition is often done using pre-computed lookup tables (LUTs) for mapping input projection data, acquired with particular X-ray source parameters, to material data values. However, the X-ray source parameters can vary over the course of a scan, making the results inaccurate. Embodiments are based on determining in advance a plurality of sets of basis LUTs for each of a plurality of different possible ranges of values over which the X-ray source parameter may vary during a scan. The basis LUTs in each set are devised as being LUTs which represent the majority contribution to the overall material decomposition function for the time-varying energy spectrum.

Abstract: A controller and method are for configuring operation of a kVp-s witching spectral CT imaging apparatus which, in at least one mode, aims to mimic the user-side operating workflow of a conventional non-spectral CT scanner. The controller receives user-defined settings associated with operation of a non-spectral CT system, comprising a desired peak tube voltage and desired tube current. Based on these user-specified inputs, the controller performs a conversion procedure to derive a set of spectral CT operating parameters which are estimated to result in administration of the same dose of X-ray radiation over a single kVp switching cycle as would be administered by the conventional scanner over a same time duration.

Abstract: The invention refers to a system for providing a spectral image using a conventional CT system. The system comprises a data providing unit (11) for providing first projection data and second projection data, wherein the first and second projection data have been acquired using different acquisition spectra, wherein the first projection data has been acquired during a scout scan and the second projection data has been acquired during a diagnostic scan, or wherein the first and second projection data have been acquired by a first and second part of the detector, respectively. The first and second part of the detector acquire projection data with different acquisition spectra. A spectral image generation unit (12) generates a spectral image based on the projection data. With this system a spectral image can be provided using a conventional CT system with a decreased acquisition time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary anode X-ray source. In addition to a primary cathode of a rotary anode X-ray tube, an auxiliary cathode is provided in the rotary anode X-ray tube. Electrons from the auxiliary cathode are focused into an area on the anode, from which X-rays cannot enter the used X-ray beam generated by the primary cathode. An emission current controlling device is used to control the electron emission of the auxiliary cathode. Thus, the voltage down-ramp for dual energy scanning is kept constant even though the primary X-ray output changes for the sake of dose modulation or during a transient of the primary electron current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for X-ray dark-field, phase contrast and attenuation image acquisition. The system comprises an X-ray source (20), an interferometer arrangement (30), an X-ray detector (40), a control unit (50), and an output unit (60). An axis is defined extending from a centre of the X-ray source to a centre of the X-ray detector. An examination region is located between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The axis extends through the examination region, and the examination region is configured to enable location of an object to be examined. The interferometer arrangement is located between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The interferometer arrangement comprises a first grating (32) and a second grating (34). For a first mode of operation: The control unit is configured to control at least one lateral movement transducer (70) to move the first grating or move the second grating in a lateral position direction perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection device for X-rays, an imaging system and a method for detecting electro-magnetic radiation using a detection device for X-rays, wherein an estimate of an incomplete measurement is acquired prior to a discontinuity of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the discontinuity is a change or interruption in a beam or in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An analyzer (124) includes a quantifier (204) configured to quantify an amount of contrast material representing scar tissue created by ablation for tissue of interest in contrast enhanced imaging data and a recommender (210) configured to generate a signal indicative of a recommendation to further ablate the tissue of interest in response to the quantified amount of the contrast material not satisfying a pre-determined threshold. A method includes obtaining contrast enhanced image data indicative of scar tissue created by ablation of tissue of interest, quantifying an amount of contrast material for the scar tissue in the tissue of interest, and generating a signal indicative of a recommendation to further ablate the tissue of interest in response to the quantified amount of the contrast material not satisfying a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus provides phase contrast X-ray image data of a region of interest of an object. Attenuation X-ray image data of the region of interest of the object is also provided. A first basis data set is generated from the phase contrast X-ray image data. A second basis data set is generated from the phase contrast X-ray image data and the attenuation X-ray image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active marker device (100) for being introduced into a human tissue and for tracking a region of interest of a human body. The active marker device comprises a light source (101) for emitting light such that the emitted light can be detected by an optical sensor. In this way, the active marker device and/or the region of interest can be tracked by a tracking system comprising the optical sensor. The active marker device (100) further comprises a switch (102) for turning the light source on and off and for operating the light source in a pulsed mode.

Abstract: A system (200) includes a first imaging system (201) that utilizes first radiation to image an interior region of interest of a subject, including a first agent in the region of interest and a second imaging system (218) that utilizes second radiation to image a second agent in the region of interest, wherein an output of the second imaging system is used to trigger the first imaging system to scan the region of interest, including the first agent in the region of interest.

Abstract: The invention refers to a system for providing a spectral image using a conventional CT system. The system comprises a data providing unit (11) for providing first projection data and second projection data, wherein the first and second projection data have been acquired using different acquisition spectra, wherein the first projection data has been acquired during a scout scan and the second projection data has been acquired during a diagnostic scan, or wherein the first and second projection data have been acquired by a first and second part of the detector, respectively. The first and second part of the detector acquire projection data with different acquisition spectra. A spectral image generation unit (12) generates a spectral image based on the projection data. With this system a spectral image can be provided using a conventional CT system with a decreased acquisition time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector arrangement for an X-ray phase contrast system (5), the detector arrangement (1) comprising: a scintillator (11); an optical grating (12); and a detector (13); wherein the optical grating (12) is arranged between the scintillator (11) and the detector (13); wherein the scintillator (11) converts X-ray radiation (2) into optical radiation (3); wherein the optical grating (12) is configured to be an analyzer grating being adapted to a phase-grating (21) of an X-ray phase contrast system (5); wherein the optical path between the optical grating (12) and the scintillator (11) is free of focusing elements for optical radiation. The present invention further relates to a method (100) for performing X-ray phase contrast imaging with a detector arrangement (1) mentioned above. The invention avoids the use of an X-ray absorption grating as G2 grating in an X-ray phase contrast interferometer system.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid (ASG) for X-ray imaging with a surface (S) formed from a plurality of strips (LAM). The plurality of strips including at least two guard strips (Li,Li+1) that are thicker in a direction parallel to said surface than one or more strips (li) of said plurality of strips (LAM). The one or more strips (li) being situated in between said two guard strips (Li,Li+1).

Abstract: An active marker device (100) is introducible into a human tissue and for tracking a region of interest of a human body. The active marker device includes a light source (101) for emitting light such that the emitted light can be detected by an optical sensor. In this way, the active marker device and/or the region of interest can be tracked by a tracking system including the optical sensor. The active marker device (100) also includes a switch (102) for turning the light source on and off and for operating the light source in a pulsed mode.

Abstract: A method of a virtual X-ray colonoscopy includes scanning (204) a dark-field contrast (144) insufflated colon lumen (140) with an X-ray scanner (110) configured for dark-field-contrast, which generates dark-field-contrasted projection data and attenuation projection data. The dark-field-contrasted projection data and the attenuation projection data are reconstructed (206) into one or more dark-field-contrasted images (148).

Abstract: A reconstruction system includes a decomposer (204) configured to decompose at least two sets of projection data generated via kVp switching between at least two radiation source voltages. Each set corresponds to a different one of the at least two radiation source voltages. The system further includes a spectral channel (206) configured to process the at least two sets of projection data and generate spectral image data. The system further includes a non-spectral channel (208) configured to process the at least two sets of projection data and generate non-spectral image data for a predetermined reference kVp.

Abstract: A method of spectrally imaging an organ during an image-guided intervention is disclosed. Based on at least one first scan, a first image modality is obtained. A selection of a region of interest is obtained within the first image modality. Based on at least one second spectral scan of the organ, at least three second image modalities are obtained. A contrast value is calculated over the previously selected region of interest for all obtained second image modalities. The second image modality with the largest contrast value is selected for display. Alternatively, image modalities of the organ are displayed over time and the modalities for display are selected according to an imaging protocol which associates a lesion type and timestamp of a spectral scan with a modality having optimal contrast.

Abstract: An interferometer grating support (118) of an imaging system (100) configured for grating-based x-ray imaging includes at least two elongate supports (302) separated from each other by a non-zero distance, wherein the at least two elongate supports have a first end (312) and a second end (316). The grating support further includes a first arc shaped grating (202) affixed to the first end and a second arc shaped grating (204) affixed to a second end (316). A non-transitory computer readable medium is configured with computer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of a computer cause the processor to: move a grating support, which supports G0 and G1 gratings of an interferometer and a bowtie filter, into a region between a low energy photon filter and a beam collimator, which are between a radiation source and an examination region, for a grating-based x-ray imaging scan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (500) for determining a spectral scan protocol for acquiring a computed tomography (CT) image using a CT scanner and a corresponding apparatus (600). The method (500) comprises the steps of defining (510) a conventional scan protocol having scan restrictions for acquiring a conventional CT image; determining (520) a spectral scan protocol comprising a proportion of a first acquisition mode (201) and a proportion of a second acquisition mode (202), wherein the spectral scan protocol resembles the conventional scan protocol; and determining (520) the proportion of the first acquisition mode (201) and the proportion of the second acquisition mode (202) so that the scan restrictions of the conventional scan protocol are met. The method (500) and corresponding apparatus allows the determination of spectral scan protocols which reduce spectral scan mode restrictions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CT imaging system as well as a method for CT imaging is provided. For CT imaging, in practice a scout scan and a main scan of a human subject may be performed. It has been found that a detector signal, provided by a detector which detects the X-ray radiation during the scout scan, may be used on the one hand for determining a respective scout image and on the other hand to determine the bone mineral density of the human subject. Although the scout scan is usually primarily performed for determining the scout image, it is of advantage, if the detector used for detecting the X-ray radiation during the scout scan is formed and/or configured to detect X-ray radiation of a first energy spectrum and to detect X-ray radiation of a different, second energy spectrum. In this case, the detector can provide more precise information about the scout region of the human subject and resulting therefrom in a more precise determination of the bone mineral density.