Abstract: An imaging system (1400) includes a first and a second focal spot (1410I and 1410N), a first pre-patient radiation beam filter (1416) disposed between the first focal spot and the examination region and having a first profile and a second pre-patient radiation beam filter (1416N) disposed between the second focal spot and the examination region and having a second profile, and a source controller (1412) that controls an operation of the focal spots by modulating the operation during a scan based on at least one of an angular position of focal spots, a shape of a region of interest of subject or object being scanned, or based on a change in size between two adjacent regions of the subject or object being scanned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray imaging. In order to reduce X-ray dose exposure during X-ray image acquisition, an X-ray detector is provided that is suitable for phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging. The X-ray detector comprises a scintillator layer (12) and a photodiode layer (14). The scintillator layer is configured to convert incident X-ray radiation (16) modulated by a phase grating structure (18) into light to be detected by the photodiode layer. The scintillator layer comprises an array of scintillator channels (20) periodically arranged with a pitch (22) forming an analyzer grating structure. The scintillator layer and the photodiode layer form a first detector layer (24) comprising a matrix of pixels (26). Each pixel comprises an array of photodiodes (28), each photodiode forming a sub-pixel (30). Adjacent sub-pixels during operation receive signals having mutually shifted phases.

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 IN 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 focussing 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: The present invention relates to a projection values determination device (14) being adapted to determine a projection value for an x-ray of a cone beam (4) based on detection values generated by detection elements of a three-dimensional arrangement of detection elements, which have been traversed by the x-ray, and not based on a detection value generated by a detection element which has not been traversed by the x-ray. Hence, the projection values determination device does not determine a projection value for a respective x-ray based on a detection value generated by a detection element not traversed by the respective x-ray. In particular, also in the cone direction only detection values are considered for generating a projection value, which have been generated by detection elements which have really been traversed by the respective x-ray. This can lead to reduced cross talk and computed tomography images having an improved image quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer tomography X-ray imaging. In order to provide further improved data for the reconstruction, a system (10) for computer tomography X-ray imaging is provided. The system comprises a data interface (12) and a processing unit (14). The data interface is configured to provide at least first and second CT X-ray radiation projection data for at least a first and second X-ray energy range, which ranges are different from each other. The processing unit is configured to determine a correction for slice normalization, and to apply an equal slice normalization for the first and the second CT X-ray projection data and thereby generating prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data. For the correction, the equal slice normalization is based on measured data of outer detector elements. Further, the data interface is configured to provide the prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data for further processing.

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 an apparatus for generating multi energy data from phase contrast imaging data. It is described to provide (210) 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 (220). A first basis data set is generated (230) from the phase contrast X-ray image data. A second basis data set is generated (240) from the phase contrast X-ray image data and the attenuation X-ray image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection data acquisition apparatus (31) for acquiring projection data. The projection data acquisition apparatus comprises a radiation device (32) for generating a pulsed radiation beam (4) for traversing an object and a detection device (6) for generating projection data being indicative of the pulsed radiation beam (4) at different acquisition positions, wherein the radiation device (32) is adapted to generate the pulsed radiation beam (4) such that at different acquisition positions the pulsed radiation beam (4) has different shapes, i.e. is differently blocked and/or attenuated. Thus, not the complete radiation providable by the radiation device is used at each acquisition position, but at least at some acquisition positions only a smaller pulsed radiation beam is used. This can lead to less scattered radiation and hence to improved projection data and an improved computed tomography image, which may be reconstructed based on the acquired projection data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for assisting in assessing a state of a subject's lung. The system is adapted to process a dark field image, which comprises dark field values for different spatial positions and for different breathing state values, such that a differentiation image is generated by differentiating the provided dark field image with respect to the breathing state values. This differentiation can lead to a functional image which can be used for detecting changes of air-soft tissue interfaces, which might be caused by a lung disease, with high sensitivity. This allows for an improved assisting in assessing a state of a subject's lung.

Abstract: An imaging system (200) includes a radiation source (208) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. The imaging system further includes a hybrid data acquisition system (212) that receives radiation that traverses the examination region. The hybrid data acquisition system includes a phase-contrast sub-portion (304) spanning a sub-portion of a full field of view. The hybrid data acquisition system further includes at least one of an integrating portion (302, 702, 804, 806, 902) or a spectral portion (402, 704, 706, 802, 1002) spanning the full field of view. The hybrid data acquisition system generates a phase-contrast signal and at least one of an integration signal or a spectral signal. The imaging system further includes a reconstructor (216) that reconstructs the phase-contrast signal and at least one of the integration single or the spectral signal to generate volumetric image data indicative of the examination region.

Abstract: A method of an image processing apparatus for identifying a type of adipose body tissue within a subject, based on performing a spectral computed tomography (CT) scan of a region of interest of the subject; and using a combination of different image processing techniques to differentiate between at least two adipose tissue types within the region of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography system (30). Several sets of spectral projections, which correspond to different positions of a radiation source (2) along a rotation axis (R), are decomposed into first projections being indicative of a contrast agent and second projections being not indicative of the contrast agent. An image is generated by a) determining for each first projection a contrast value being indicative of a total amount of contrast agent and scaling the first projections such that for different first projections of a same set the same contrast value is determined, and reconstructing an image based on the scaled first projections, and/or b) reconstructing for the different sets first images, scaling the first images such that they have a same intensity in overlap regions and combining the scaled first images. Thus, different contrast agent amounts can be balanced, thereby allowing for an improved image quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing images for detecting an endoleak after a stent graft has been placed within the aorta of a person at a stent graft location. First and second contrast agents are injected at first and second times (T1, T2) and first, second and third computed tomography images of the stent graft location showing a) the first contrast agent, b) the second contrast agent and c) the stent graft and tissue, respectively, are reconstructed based on spectral projection data acquired at a third time (T3). By using these computed tomography images for detecting an endoleak, the endoleak detection can be significantly improved, wherein this improved endoleak detection can be provided with a relative low radiation dose, because the images can be reconstructed by using only the computed tomography scan at the third time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved assessment of a stenosis in a blood vessel in a body by comparing hemodynamic properties of the stenosed blood vessel with a substantially symmetric different blood vessel in the same body.

Abstract: A source grating structure (G0) for interferometric X-ray imaging cable of generating a non-uniform intensity profile behind a surface (S) of the grating structure when exposed to X-ray radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer tomography X-ray imaging. In order to provide further improved data for the reconstruction, a system (10) for computer tomography X-ray imaging is provided. The system comprises a data interface (12) and a processing unit (14). The data interface is configured to provide at least first and second CT X-ray radiation projection data for at least a first and second X-ray energy range, which ranges are different from each other. The processing unit is configured to determine a correction for slice normalization, and to apply an equal slice normalization for the first and the second CT X-ray projection data and thereby generating prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data. For the correction, the equal slice normalization is based on measured data of outer detector elements. Further, the data interface is configured to provide the prepared first and second CT X-ray projection data for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating X-rays. It is described to produce (210) with a power supply (30) a voltage. A cathode (22) of an X-ray source (20) is positioned (220) relative to an anode (24) of the X-ray source. Electrons are emitted (230) from the cathode. Electrons emitted from the cathode interact (240) with the anode with energies corresponding to the voltage. X-rays are generated (250) from the anode, wherein the electrons interact with the anode to generate the X-rays. The X-ray source is controlled (260), such that a plurality of first X-ray pulses is generated each having a first X-ray flux, wherein the first X-ray pulses are temporally separated from each other. The X-ray source is controlled (270), such that a least one second X-ray pulse is generated having a second X-ray flux that is substantially less than the first X-ray flux, wherein the at least one second X-ray pulse is generated temporally between consecutive pulses of the first X-ray pulses.

Abstract: A method displays spectral image data reconstructed from spectral projection data with a first reconstruction algorithm and segmented image data reconstructed from the same spectral projection data with a different reconstruction algorithm, which is different from the first reconstruction algorithm. The method includes reconstructing spectral projection data with the first reconstruction algorithm, which generates the spectral image data and displaying the spectral image data. The method further includes reconstructing the spectral projection data with the different reconstruction algorithm, which generates segmentation image data, segmenting the segmentation image data, which produces the segmented image data, and displaying the segmented image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating X-rays. It is described to produce (210) with a power supply (40) at least two voltages between at least one cathode (20) and an anode (30), wherein the at least two voltages comprises a first voltage and a second voltage. The at least one cathode is positioned relative to the anode. Electrons are emitted (220) from the at least one cathode. Electrons emitted from the at least one cathode are interacted (230) with the anode with energies corresponding to the at least two voltages. X-rays are generated (230) from the anode, wherein the electrons interact with the anode to generate the X-rays. First X-rays are generated when the power supply produces the first voltage and second X-rays are generated when the power supply produces the second voltage. The power supply is controlled (250), such that a ratio between the first X-rays and the second X-rays is controllable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection values determination device (14) being adapted to determine a projection value for an x-ray of a cone beam (4) based on detection values generated by detection elements of a three-dimensional arrangement of detection elements, which have been traversed by the x-ray, and not based on a detection value generated by a detection element which has not been traversed by the x-ray. Hence, the projection values determination device does not determine a projection value for a respective x-ray based on a detection value generated by a detection element not traversed by the respective x-ray. In particular, also in the cone direction only detection values are considered for generating a projection value, which have been generated by detection elements which have really been traversed by the respective x-ray. This can lead to reduced cross talk and computed tomography images having an improved image quality.