Abstract: A focus-detector arrangement of an X-ray apparatus is disclosed, for generating projective or tomographic phase contrast recordings of a subject. In at least one embodiment, least one grating of a focus-detector arrangement includes, at least partially, a macroscopically homogeneous medium which, when excited by an energy source, assumes a periodic structure/standing wave field that leads to beam splitting and the formation of an interference pattern when the X-ray beam passes through.

Abstract: A focus/detector system of an X-ray apparatus is disclosed for generating projective or tomographic phase contrast recordings. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a beam source, including a focus and a focus-side source grating, arranged in the beam path to generate a field of ray-wise coherent X-rays; and a grating/detector arrangement having a phase grating with grating lines arranged parallel to the source grating for generating an interference pattern and a detector having a multiplicity of detector elements arranged flat for measuring the radiation intensity behind the phase grating. Further, the detector elements are formed by a multiplicity of elongate detection strips, which are aligned parallel to the grating lines of the phase grating.

Abstract: A computed tomography system has a stationary part and a part that is rotatable around an examination axis that carries at least one x-ray source, a detector unit opposite the x-ray source and a data acquisition unit connected to the detector unit. A data transfer device for transfer of measurement data (acquired with the data acquisition unit) to an image reconstruction device connected with the stationary part is disposed between the stationary part and the rotatable part. The rotatable part has a storage unit for buffering at least a part of the measurement data acquired with the data acquisition unit before their transfer. This storage unit is connected to the data acquisition unit. The computed tomography system enables operation with a high data rate without the data transfer device having to adapt to the maximal data rate.

Abstract: A rotating data transmission device for computer tomographs, for transmission from a rotating part to a stationary part that is rotatably supported relative to the rotating part, comprises at least a rotating high-speed data transmitter unit, a rotating high-speed transmission line, a stationary high-speed data receiver unit. The rotating high-speed data transmitter unit contains a rotating pattern controller and the stationary high-speed data receiver unit contains a stationary data analyzer for analyzing patterns generated by the rotating pattern controller. Furthermore unit controllers are provided to control the units.

Abstract: In a system and an associated method, for data transmission in a computed tomography device, having a data acquisition unit in which measurement data are acquired, converted into a bit stream, and communicated to a transmitter apparatus on a rotating part of the computed tomography device, wherein the transmitter transmits the bit stream to a stationary part of the computed tomography device, and having a receiver apparatus on the stationary part that receives the bit stream from the transmitter apparatus and communicates it to an image reconstruction unit that further processes the bit stream communicated by the receiver apparatus for the reconstruction of the image, the transmitter apparatus and the receiver apparatus each have an error recognition module that monitors the bit stream for errors and signals recognized errors to an error processor that determines the number and rate and/or duration of the recognized errors and stores these in a log data file for an evaluation.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for movement correction when imaging the heart. In an embodiment of the method, a number of pictures of at least one region of the heart, that are subsequently combined with one another to generate a combined image data record, are recorded with the aid of an imaging unit in a space of time comprising a number of heart periods. In an embodiment of the method, an additional measuring device is used to acquire, during the recordings, measured data from which it is possible to calculate a variation in a spatial position of the heart between heart periods. The measured data are used to calculate the variation in the spatial position of the heart between the heart periods, in order to reduce errors in the image data record that are caused by the variation. The method, in an embodiment, renders possible combined image data records of the heart with reduced image artifacts.

Abstract: In a tomography apparatus and a method for operating a tomography apparatus for generation of multiple energy images, in which high-energy projections and low-energy projections are acquired by alternating adjustment of a voltage and a further control variable (namely the current or the exposure time), given a set first voltage value and a set first control value of the further control variable, and given a set second voltage value and a set second control value of the further control variable, x-rays generated by an x-ray radiator exhibit essentially the same x-ray dose or photon flow.

Abstract: A device for generation of x-ray radiation has one or more cold electron sources as a cathode and at least one x-ray target as an anode that are arranged in an evacuable housing. Upon application of an electrical voltage between cathode and anode, electrons emitted from the electron source are accelerated in an electron beam onto the x-ray target. A device for reduction of the proportion of positive ions in the region of the electron source is arranged between the electron source and the x-ray target in the housing. The device exhibits a long lifespan with good focusing capability and fast modulation capability of the electron beam.

Abstract: A device for non-contacting transmission of electrical signals between one part moving relative to another part has at least one strip conductor pair for symmetrical signal transmission attached on a first of the two parts, in which strip conductor pair the electrical signals are supplied from a transmission module for differential signal transmission. At least one reception element is attached on the other of the two parts, at a slight separation along at least one segment of the strip conductor pair, and is connected with a reception module. The strip conductor pair is provided with one or more components for reduction of a common mode signal component that arises therein due to the differential signals therein. Additionally or alternatively, compensation elements for adaptation of a time offset between signals on the output conductors are arranged in the output conductors of the transmission module that minimizes the common mode signal component.

Abstract: An x-ray computed tomography apparatus has at least one x-ray source, one or more first x-ray detector elements disposed opposite the x-ray source, with an examination volume disposed therebetween, one or more x-ray deflection elements, and one or more second x-ray detector elements. The ray deflection elements respectively deflect x-rays emitted by said x-ray source in different spatial angular ranges onto the respective x-ray detector elements. The deflected x-rays proceed either through the first region of the examination volume as well, or through different regions of the examination volume. Faster scanning times and reduced artifacts in multi-layer computed tomography scanning are thereby achieved.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for producing CT image data records and for irradiating a patient. The system includes exactly one rotary frame for holding at least one x-ray tube, and one radiation detector that is situated opposite, the x-ray tube being equipped with a diaphragm that can be dynamically adjusted during the rotation of the rotary frame. The system includes a first operating mode for imaging in which during the revolution of the rotary frame the x-ray tube radiate a ray fan of constant fan angle onto the oppositely situated detector, and CT image data records are calculated from the measured data of the detector.

Abstract: A detector module, in at least one embodiment, is disclosed for x-radiation or gamma radiation that includes one or more optical waveguide sections that are arranged next to one another in order to form one or more detector rows and are optically interconnected in serial fashion. The waveguide sections include one or more converter materials for converting incident x-radiation or gamma radiation into optical radiation and are designed in such a way that optical radiation of different wavelength is generated in respectively neighboring regions along the waveguide sections upon incidence of x-radiation or gamma radiation. The present detector module, in at least one embodiment, can be implemented cost effectively with a high number of detector rows, and is of very low weight.

Abstract: An imaging method and an apparatus are disclosed for visualizing coronary heart diseases. An imaging tomographic technique is used to record and reconstruct one or more images of the heart or a region of the heart after a contrast agent injection. In the method, in a late period after the contrast agent injection, at least one first image of at least one part of the myocardium is recorded in which a maximum in a contrast agent flow caused by the contrast agent injection occurs, or is to be expected, in the myocardium. Subsequently the first image and/or at least one image derived from the first image for the purpose of better recognizability of a local undersupply of the myocardium are/is displayed. The method and/or the associated apparatus may enable the detection of vascular occlusions or vascular constrictions even in the case of relatively small vessels, which cannot be resolved with the aid of the conventional coronary CTA.

Abstract: An x-ray computed tomography apparatus has a stationary device (3) for generating x-ray radiation from an x-ray focus that moves around the examination volume on a target that at least partially surrounds an examination volume of the apparatus in one plane. From the x-ray focus an x-ray beam is directed through the examination volume onto respective, momentarily opposite detector elements of a stationary x-ray detector that at least partially surrounds the examination volume. One or more shaping elements for influencing one or more beam parameters of the x-ray beam are arranged between the target and the detector elements. One or more of the shaping elements is/are arranged on a carrier frame that can rotate around a system axis in synchronization with the movement of the x-ray focus. The shaping elements rotating with the x-ray focus enable an optimal beam shaping and/or suppression of scatter radiation.

Abstract: In a tomography apparatus and a method for operating a tomography apparatus for generation of multiple energy images, in which high-energy projections and low-energy projections are acquired by alternating adjustment of a voltage and a further control variable (namely the current or the exposure time), given a set first voltage value and a set first control value of the further control variable, and given a set second voltage value and a set second control value of the further control variable, x-rays generated by an x-ray radiator exhibit essentially the same x-ray dose or photon flow.

Abstract: In a signal transmission device as well as a method for transmission of signals between two elements moving relative to one another, in particular for transfer of measurement and/or control data between a rotating part and a stationary part of a computed tomography apparatus, a transmission device with an RF strip conductor is used on a first of the two elements, the RF strip conductor is composed of a dielectric layer with electro-optical properties between two strips made of an electrically-conductive material, into which the signals are fed. In the method and the associated device, local temporal changes of optical properties of the dielectric layer that are electrically induced in the dielectric layer by the signals proceeding along the strip conductor are scanned with a light beam of a scanning unit arranged on the second element, at least during a movement segment of the relative movement of the two elements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for transmission of optical signals between a rotating part and a stationary part of a machine, particularly a computer tomograph, in which an optical transmitter is arranged on a first of the two parts and an optical receiver with an optical detector is arranged on a second of the two parts, via which optical signals emitted by the optical transmitter are received, whereby the optical receiver comprises an optical concentrator with an at least approximately horn-shaped geometry that concentrates incident optical radiation via internal reflection on side surfaces of the concentrator onto a detection area of the detector. The optical concentrator is formed from a material filling the entire inner volume of the concentrator and optically transparent for at least one wavelength with which the transmitter transmits. A signal-to-noise ratio improved relative to that of known apparatuses for data transmission can be achieved with the present apparatus.

Abstract: For automatically controlling or adjusting the X-ray dose when scanning an examination subject in a CT apparatus, a series of reference measurements are initially made by obtaining CT images of respective phantoms having different attenuation. The tube current for each phantom that produces an image of the phantom having an acceptable noise level, and thus an acceptable image quality, is stored in a table. In a subsequent CT scan of an examination subject, the tube voltage is automatically adjusted when irradiating a region of the subject having attenuation comparable to the attenuation of one of the phantoms, so as to employ the tube current when irradiating the examination subject that produced the image of acceptable quality for the comparable phantom.

Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for transmitting data from a rotary part to a stationary part of a system, a light-transmitting channel is formed by an optically reflecting half channel in the stationary part and an optically reflecting half channel in the rotary part, facing each other, with each half channel having a parabolic cross-section and with the half channels being oriented so that the respective focal points and the respective vertices of the two half channels are co-linear. A light emitter is supplied with data to be transmitted and is disposed in the wall of the half channel in the rotary part, and emits modulated light representing the data into the light channel in two opposite directions. At least one of these light beams is detected by a light detector disposed in the wall of the half channel in the stationary part, and the data in the detected beam is then made available for transmission from the stationary part.

Abstract: An imaging tomography apparatus, in particular an x-ray computed tomography apparatus, has two acquisition systems capable of rotating around a rotation center on a common rotation axis with constant azimuthal separation from one another. Each of the acquisition systems has a radiator with a focus as well as a detector with a number of detector elements. The detectors are mounted in the respective acquisition system such that, after a common rotation movement of both acquisition systems (which transfers the imaginary connecting line “first focus—rotation center” to the previous position of the imaginary connecting line “second focus—rotation center”), at least some of the detector elements of the first detector come to lie displaced by a displacement angle with regard to the previous positions of the detector elements of the second detector.